Lake Superior State competed in their first pair of games at the Midwest Regional Crossover Tournament on Friday. Despite taking the opening set over the Prairie Stars, LSSU fell to Illinois-Springfield (UIS) in a four-set match, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14. Earlier in the day, Elisa Rizzoli led in both kills and digs for a seventh time this season but the Lakers dropped the result in four sets to the Upper Iowa Peacocks, 25-18, 25-20, 15-25, 25-18.

"We had one set in each match we actually flowed really well," stated Laker Head Coach Chelsea Cooke-Tripp. "Playing our speed and normal tempo. The other sets we struggled to stay in them." 

LSSU (4-16, 1-9 GLIAC) led in the UIS match by fourth-year OH/RS Rachel Steele, who set a career-high in kills with 15 while hitting .519 against the Prairie Stars (6-14, 1-7 GLVC). 

"Rach is definitely finding her groove lately," said Cooke-Tripp. "We've had her on the outside and the right side so I think keeping her on the right side has definitely been a huge improvement for her and finding that consistency."

First-year DS/L Millie Ashcroft also set a career-high against the Prairie Stars, she totaled 16 digs.

"For Millie, she's a freshman but she's a kid that loves the game out and goes out there with no fear," noted Cooke-Tripp. "I love getting her in and getting her some experience in there." Ashcroft led all Lakers in digs for the match. 

Earlier in the day when facing the Peacocks (8-10, 3-5 GLVC), Rizzoli led in kills for the 11th time this season, 11th time in digs, and led for the seventh time in both categories.

LSSU pulled ahead to take by as much as eight in the third set of the Upper Iowa match, taking a 15-7 lead. Upper Iowa battled back and made it 16-13, the Lakers went on a tear, ending the set on a 9-2 run.

"Overall communication was fantastic," said Cooke-Tripp. "The girls definitely moved really well together and really trusted each other." 

Third-year Giselle Wiitanen logged four kills, hit .500 and assisted a block four times as well in the match with Upper Iowa. First-year Azra Bilgiçer totaled 33 assists in the two games for the day. 

Tomorrow, Lake State will play their last pair of games to wrap up their weekend tournament. They compete in the early slot against Malone University, set for 10 AM ET, then later face off against Kentucky Wesleyan, that match starting at 3 PM ET. Download the new Lake Superior State Lakers mobile app to follow the team all season long, now available on the App Store and Google Play.