For the second time in a month, Lake Superior State freshman Elisa Rizzoli put on a show. With ten kills on 23 hits with only one error, a block assist and eight digs, the first-year right-side hitter starred, though the Lakers lost in four sets to Saginaw Valley State on Thursday night. The Cardinals (6-6, 1-2 GLIAC) took the match 25-17, 25-15, 24-26, 25-19.

Traveling to University Center, MI, the Lakers (0-7, 0-3 GLIAC) got another excellent performance from Rizzoli, who dominated Minnesota-Crookston two weeks prior with 17 kills on 32 swings. She's hitting an excellent .299 across her first 15 sets while contributing excellent defense. She's tallied 43 digs and six block assists with just one error at the net. Tallying five kills in the third set of the match, she helped lift the Lakers into the fourth.

Shea Berisoff and Morgan Deming excelled in the middle for LSSU. Berisoff struck with precision, scoring five kills with no errors on six hits, while Deming notched eight kills with three solo blocks and three block assists. Deming dominating at the net should surprise nobody - she wiped out Roosevelt with ten total blocks in a match last season.

The third set saw a gritty, determined Laker team lock in. The set remained closely contested from start to finish, with neither team taking a decisive advantage. It looked like LSSU could start pulling away in the middle-to-late stages, snatching a 20-16 lead. But the Cardinals reeled the Lakers back in to take a 23-22 lead. But three straight kills scored the set win for the Lakers in a thrilling finish. Deming and Rizzoli both scored from Berisoff, then Berisoff from Rizzoli won the set 26-24.

Set four took on a similar tone, with both teams trading short runs in the early stages. While the Cardinals held a slim lead through the middle stages, the Lakers scored four straight points to cut the deficit to 18-17. But a service ace and a pair of Cardinal kills gave them a five point lead late, and they finished the match off with a service ace.

Senior setter Vanessa Swerdon had another strong game, contributing 19 assists for the Lakers with eight digs and a service ace. For the season, she's racked up 90 assists with just two errors, displaying excellent technique and vision. Her eight digs marked a season high.

The Lakers head to Purdue Northwest to continue GLIAC play on Saturday. Their first home matches at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie come next weekend, with Michigan Tech scheduled for October 3rd and Northern Michigan on October 4th. Buy your tickets at LSSULakers.com or at the Norris Center box office.