SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State volleyball program (3-20, 2-10 GLIAC) earned a 3-0 sweep over the Pride of Purdue Northwest (8-15, 1-11 GLIAC) on Friday for Great Lake State Weekend.

The Lakers started off strong with an early 5-1 run that featured multiple kills from Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and they followed that up with an 8-1 run that was opened with a kill from Valeriya Varnakova (Ufa, Russia) to extend the lead to 15-7. Both teams would trade several points, but the Lakers put their foot down to end the opening set with a 6-1 run that was finished off with a spike from Taylor Fleming (Rogers City, Mich.) to claim the first set by a score of 25-15.

Both teams battled early in the second period on their way to a 7-7 stalemate, but a pair of service aces from Varnakova and Maggie Morris (Schoolcraft, Mich.) helped their team to a 6-1 run to pull ahead. The Lakers would then use a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 19-12. Both teams would trade multiple points, but a kill from Fleming would once again secure the set, this time by a score of 25-18.

The Pride fought early, taking a 9-6 lead, but the Lakers rallied with runs of 5-1 and 6-1 to go up by six points. Purdue Northwest was able to cut the lead back down to two, but a kill from Emilee McDaniel opened a 4-1 run to pull back out ahead. The Pride would try to rally, but Velasque had the final say as she ended the match with a kill to give the Lakers their third win  of the season.

Velasque led the attack with a match-leading 14 kills. Meanwhile, Emily Kalinowski (South Lyon, Mich.) had another impressive outing with a 38-assist, 16-dig double-double, leading all players in both categories. Defensively, Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) earned 12 digs while Fleming and McDaniel each picked up six total blocks. 

The Lakers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22 when they travel to take on the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals with the first serve scheduled for 4 p.m.