Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

SAGINAW, Mich.—The Lake Superior State volleyball team concluded its 2017 season on Saturday with a straight-set road loss to Saginaw Valley State in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference matchup.

The Lakers fell 26-24, 25-17 and 26-24 to finish the year 3-22 overall and 1-15 in the GLIAC. The Cardinals finish 6-21, 4-12.

LSSU battled early in the first set pushing SVSU to a set point but came up just short. Set two favored the Cardinals as they went on a 6-1 run to end the set and take the 2-0 match advantage.

The Lakers made a push to extend the game in set three holding a 23-22 advantage late but Saginaw Valley rallied to put it away 26-24.

"We had a pretty inspired effort today," said first-year coach Schmidlin. "Liz Ballor and Karlee Weissend had their best performance of the season."

Ballor notched 12 kills with a .588 hitting percentage on the day to lead the Lakers offensively. Weissend finished with seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage.

Ballor and Weissend were among the six seniors who played their final game in the Blue and Yellow. Justice Kjolhede, Madison Castle, Brooke Williams and Jen Marren also suited up for the last time.

"It's sad to see this group of seniors leave," Schmidlin said. "They were instrumental in laying the foundation for this program to move forward. I'm thankful that they bought in to what I know we can do here."

Junior libero Paige Gotham led Lake State on defense with 15 digs on the day. Junior setter Lauren Lukasik had a team-high 21 assists.

McKenzie Schuster led SVSU with 14 kills. Abbie Toland tallied 18 digs.

What's Next:

With the 2017 volleyball season officially wrapped up, LSSU Athletics jumps into a busy winter schedule. Find all your Hockey and Basketball ticket information at LSSULakers.com and be sure to ask about the LSSU All-sport Pass.

The first-annual 'Thanksgiving Family Feast' at Taffy Abel is right around the corner when the Lakers hockey team returns home, Saturday Nov.25, at 5 p.m. to take on the USA Hockey 18 & Under National Team in an exhibition. As a special walk up promotion, any purchase of one general admission ticket gets the whole family in for free (no family member limit).

Follow us social media @LSSUAthletics for important updates and announcements #BeliveInBlue