Lake Superior State officially launched its 2026-27 Athletics season on Thursday night, as Laker Volleyball traveled west to compete at the Hardrocker Volleyball Tournament hosted by South Dakota Mines.

Caitlyn Matelski scored six kills on 15 swings, hitting .333 for LSSU, but the Lakers (0-1, 0-0 GLIAC) dropped a straight sets result to the hosting Hardrockers (1-0, 0-0 RMAC), 25-14, 25-15, 25-18. Laker Head Coach Chelsea Cooke-Tripp, who coached her debut match, praised the second-year player's attention to detail and execution.

Cooke-Tripp said, "She stuck to the scouting report. I've been in the RMAC Conference the past three years [at Adams State], and I'd say I knew this team pretty well and was able to give a good scouting report. Caitlyn nailed it on the head. She listened to it really well and went after it. Very proud of her for that."

Matelski scored the first kill of the new season for LSSU, on a set from newcomer Ava Tarsi. A third year player who started her collegiate career at Grand Rapids Community College, Tarsi impressed in her Laker debut, passing for six assists and leading the team with six digs. 

"Ava is a fantastic person," said Cooke-Tripp. "Great personality, super supportive of everyone, which is the best thing you can ask for in a setter. She loves feedback and takes it very well. I'm very excited to see how she continues to grow."

Zaira Missipo debuted for LSSU, scoring two kills on three hits. The first year attacker from São Paulo, Brazil entered the game in the third set and quickly showed her quality.

"Any coach wonders about a first-year player stepping into a big role in a big moment, and I think she carried herself very well," said Cooke-Tripp.

The match was the first for Cooke-Tripp, who arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in February. While it was a big personal moment for the new Head Coach, Cooke-Tripp described herself as "oddly calm" pre-match. She focused far more on her team than on her own moment.

"The players went out there very positive and high energy, which we've been working on the past couple of weeks in preseason," she said. "There were a lot of very positive moments, seeing a high level of play. Being able to come out here and play against it, I think helped them push through those tough moments and realize that they can, and they have the ability to."

Lake Superior State faces Jamestown at 12:00 PM ET on Friday, followed by a match with Minnesota Crookston at 6:00 PM. The Lakers wrap the Hardrocker Tournament on Saturday against Chadron State. Watch the Hardrocker Tournament on the RMAC Network (subscription required), and download the new Lake Superior State Lakers app on the App Store or Google Play for up-to-the-minute notifications on games and stories.