GOLDEN, COLO. – The Grand Valley State women's volleyball team got their season underway this afternoon, with two games at the Colorado Mines Tournament. They opened the season by sweeping Valdosta State, then took down Colorado Christian in four sets to start the season 2-0.
In the sweep of Valdosta State, the Lakers took the three sets by the scores of 25-23, 25-11, and 25-18. The Blazers were in control of the first set, going up 12-6, then later extended their lead up to 18-9. GVSU would answer with a 16-5 run to close out the set and go up 1-0. Their momentum would carry over into the second set, as they used a mid-set 7-0 run to take control and win handily. In the third set, the two teams traded points for most of the set, but with the Lakers up 20-18, they rattled off the final five points to complete the sweep.
Meghan O'Sullivan and
Kennedy Arp both tallied nine kills and swung at over a .300 clip.
Brianna Stawski and
Kendall Stover both added seven kills. O'Sullivan and
Caroline Baker each totaled 16 assists, and Baker served four aces.
McKenzie Johnson recorded 17 digs, with Stawski adding three solo blocks and four block assists.
The Lakers dropped the opening set of the second game 21-25, but responded with three straight set victories, 25-23, 25-23, and 25-22. In set one, the Cougars used a 4-1 run to close out the game and go up 1-0. The Lakers got out early in set two, going up 13-4, but CCU battled back to eventually take a 21-18 lead. From there, GVSU went on a 7-2 run to finish off the set and tie the game at one. The third set was tight, with the Lakers leading 15-14, but CCU went on a 5-0 run to take a 19-15 advantage. The Lakers answered back with an 8-0 run, then held on for a two-point win. In the final set, GVSU went up 6-1, and later led 14-10. The Cougars once again battled back, tying the set at 14. With the game later tied at 19, four straight points from the Lakers put them in the driver's seat and didn't let CCU get closer than two points to close out the win.
O'Sullivan had a monster triple-double, totaling 15 kills, 24 assists, and 12 digs, along with a solo block, and three block assists. Stover posted 13 kills and 22 digs, with Stawski contributing 12 kills on a .310 hitting percentage. Baker dished out 21 assists and Johnson notched 23 digs.
The Lakers close out their time in Colorado tomorrow with two more contests. They play South Dakota Mines at 2:00 eastern, then end with a matchup against Colorado School of Mines at 6:00.
