SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball program (5-7, 2-2 GLIAC) fell to the Wayne State Warriors (5-6, 3-1 GLIAC) by a final score of 3-0 on Saturday.

Both teams battled early in the opening set as a kill from Morgan Deming (Boyne City, Mich.) helped knot up the score at 9-9. The Warriors were able to pull ahead, but the Lakers rallied to close the gap behind kills from Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Valeriya Varnakova (Ufa, Russia). However, despite a pair of kills from Shea Berisoff (Kelowna, B.C.), Wayne State was ultimately able to close out the set 25-19.

The Lakers started off the second set strong, using multiple kills from Velasque to take a 9-4 advantage, but the Warriors fought back and were able to pull out in front before ultimately claiming the second set 25-17.

Both teams went back and forth to start the third set, but the Warriors were able to pull slightly ahead. The Lakers kept the score close with multiple 3-0 scoring bursts behind kills from Varnakova and Gia Waters (Minneapolis, Minn.), but Wayne State managed to hold off the attack, closing out the set and the match by respective scores of 25-18 and 3-0.

Velasque and Varnakova each ended the day with 9 kills to lead the team with the latter firing at a hit percentage of .350. Meanwhile, Vanessa Swerdon (Toronto, Ont.) recorded 16 assists, and Ally Lasley notched 14 digs.

The Lakers return to action on Friday, Oct. 4 when they travel to face Michigan Tech with the first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.