PUEBLO, Colo. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) volleyball team (1-3) fell to the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps (2-1) by a final score of 3-0 in their final game at the Steel City Showcase on Saturday.

Morgan Deming (Boyne City, Mich.) opened the match with a kill as both teams went back and forth early. The Lady Chaps were able to pull slightly ahead but Maggie Morris (Schoolcraft, Mich.) and Valeriya Varnakova (Ufa, Russia) teamed up for a block to knot up the score at 9-9. Lubbock Christian pulled ahead again, but the Lakers once again responded, this time with a 5-0 run with multiple kills from Mariana Velasque (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and a pair of service aces from libero Ally Lasley (Birch Run, Mich.) to retake the lead 19-18. However, despite a pair of kills from Gia Waters (Minneapolis, Minn.), the Lady Chaps battled back to narrowly claim the opening set 25-23. 

The Lady Chaps started the second set strong, but the Lakers bounced back with a 4-1 run behind three kills from Velasque to cut the deficit to one. However, Lubbock Christian was able to pull ahead again, and despite a strong rally attempt with three kills from Deming, the Lady Chaps managed to claim the second set by a margin of 25-18.

Velasque opened the third set with a pair of kills as both teams went back and forth early with a kill from Morris tying the score at 13-13. However, the Lady Chaps were able to pull out in front, and despite a strong Laker rally that saw them trim the lead down to two points after a pair of kills from Velasaque, Lubbock Christian was able to close out the set and the match by respective scores of 25-21 and 3-0.

Despite the loss, Velasque had her best offensive performance so far this season, finishing the match with 18 kills with a hit percentage of .457. Meanwhile, Swerdon notched a career-high 36 assists to lead all players.

The Lakers return to action on Friday, Sept. 13 when they take on the UIndy Greyhounds at the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational.