ALLENDALE, MICH. – The GVSU women's volleyball team was back in Allendale tonight for their home opener, taking on Northwood. After winning 15 games on their home court a season ago, the Lakers started on their way to that mark again, defeating the Timberwolves in five sets.
 
Grand Valley took the match by the scores of 20-25, 25-10, 25-18, 26-28, and 15-9. In set one, Northwood took and early 8-5 advantage, but the Lakers answered back with an 8-1 run to take a 13-9 advantage. They pushed that lead up to 16-11, but the Timberwolves responded with 10 straight points to retake the lead at 21-16. GVSU got as close as three points but couldn't get any closer as Northwood took the first set. The second set was all GVSU, as they never trailed and dominated from the opening serve to take it by 15 points.
 
In the third set, after Northwood went up 2-1 to start, GVSU scored three straight points to get the lead, and once again they would not relinquish it. The Timberwolves tried to make runs, but GVSU had an answer at every turn to take a 2-1 lead in the match. NU dominated to start set four, going up11-3. The Lakers chipped away at their deficit, eventually taking a 22-21 lead. However, the Timberwolves scored three of the next four points to take a 24-23 lead. The two teams battled into extra points, as GVSU held off three set points, but couldn't get a fourth, as Northwood forced the decisive fifth set. In that fifth set, the Lakers got out to a 7-3 lead and held off a Timberwolf comeback to take the final set and the match.
 
Four Lakers were in double-figures for kills, led by freshman Grace Busold's 13. Jordyn Gates, Brianna Stawski, and Paige Sanders all added 10 each. Busold added seven digs, while Gates had another triple-double, contributing 32 assists and 10 digs. Stawski and Sanders combined for 6.5 total blocks, with Julia Blaney digging out 26 balls.
 
It is a quick turnaround for GVSU, as the play twice more tomorrow. They play Tiffin at 1:00, then take on Missouri Western State at 7:00.