Lake Superior State hosted Ferris State in GLIAC play on Saturday afternoon at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium, as the Lakers wrapped up a four-game homestand.

While #15 Ferris State (13-4 8-1 GLIAC) beat the Lakers (0-12, 0-6 GLIAC) in straight sets, 25-17, 25-11, 25-16, the match saw several thrilling runs of play and long rallies.

The first set was filled with tremendous action between the two sides. While the Bulldogs built a 15-6 lead, the Lakers surged forward in the later stages. Down 22-10, LSSU scored seven of the last ten points. A massive kill by Valeriya Varnakova proved a spark, cutting the gap to 23-13. Ferris scored the next point, and that put the serve in Vanessa Swerdon's hands. She delivered four straight points, with an excellent service ace, as the Lakers pressured the Bulldogs. But a kill by FSU's Logan Geren ended the set, 25-17.

The Lakers started well in the second set with an early service ace by Jenna DeRosia. Elisa Rizzoli scored a kill assisted by Morgan Deming, who returned to the Laker lineup. The Bulldogs rolled off a large run, pushing the score from 6-5 to 17-7. Varnakova had two gargantuan swings for LSSU in the midst of that run, rising up and hammering the ball through the Bulldog blockers.

She held serve to open the third set, and the Lakers scored twice. Vanessa Swerdon played two excellent passes to Rizzoli, who converted for a pair of kills. She scored the Lakers third and fourth points of the set moments later, too. Despite several excellent rallies by the Lakers, the Bulldogs pulled away in the set's later stages and finished off the match in straight sets.

Gia Waters notched a season-high 13 digs, continuing an excellent run of play since taking the libero jersey for the Lakers. The senior had come in as an outside hitter and defensive specialist, but has excelled in recent weeks after a change in position. While not attacking as much as she did in her prior roles, she's shown ability and attacking intent throughout her Laker career and provides an extra option from the back row.

Morgan Deming scored four kills with an assist and a dig for LSSU. The junior middle hadn't played since September 27^th against Purdue Northwest, though she'd put on several excellent attacking displays to that point.

Next, the Lakers head to Hammond, Indiana to compete in the Midwest Regional Crossover. They'll compete on Friday and Saturday, and return to the Bud Cooper Gymnasium on October 30^th when they host Saginaw Valley State.