MARQUETTE - Lake Superior State opened the 2009 volleyball season with 3-0 losses to seventh-ranked Minnesota-Duluth and Wisconsin-Parkside at the Northern Michigan Invitational Friday.

Jessica Ewer had six kills, and Sara Hess and Nikki Stratelak added four each to lead the Lakers against UM-D (2-0), which won 25-20, 25-10, 25-16. Janelle Balkwill totaled 14 assists, and Brittany Newberry had six digs.

Wisconsin-Parkside (2-1) thwarted two LSSU comebacks to claim a 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 victory. Samantha Gibbs led the Lakers with eight kills and a .375 attack percentage. She also contributed two block assists. Stratelak had six kills, and Hess added four kills, two solo blocks and two block assists. Abby Shereda contributed four kills, two service aces, one solo block and one block assists. Balkwill had 22 assists. Stratelak and Newberry combined to total 19 digs.

The Lakers take on St. Cloud State and Winona State on Saturday.

LSSU vs. Minnesota-Duluth

LSSU vs. Wisconsin-Parkside