Box Score Though Lake Superior State started well, the Lakers dropped the finale of the Hardrocker Tournament in Rapid City, SD to Chadron State on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles (1-2, 0-0 RMAC) won in four sets, 17-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-20.

"There's definitely some challenging teams here that are going to be really good in their conferences," said Laker Head Coach Chelsea Cooke-Tripp. "I think this weekend was a fantastic learning experience. The players can definitely handle and play to a higher level more than they personally thought. The big part now is working on our end game and working on having the unit finish together."

Azra Bilgiçer led LSSU (0-4, 0-0 GLIAC) with another outstanding performance, totaling 26 assists and 10 digs. The first-year setter impressed across three matches during the weekend, making her collegiate debut on Friday.

"She has really stepped up as a first-year player," said the head coach. "It's just flowing for her. We wanted to keep it going for her. It was really proving to work for us, particularly in our first set today. It was really fun to see them work together, and she's a huge part of that."

The Lakers forced eight attacking errors by the Eagles in the opening set, defending well and building their lead with big swings. Rachel Steele, Morgan Deming and Shea Berisoff each chipped in with key attacks late to secure the set. Throughout the match, the trio provided timely offense and defense as the Lakers registered eight total blocks.

"We just wanted to get them moving around," she said. "Chadron has two new middles they didn't have last year. From knowing the conference last year, I knew we had to tire them out and move them around, move our middles around and then go to the pins [to attack]."

Ava Wells tallied 19 digs from the back line for LSSU, a new career-high for the second-year player. Elisa Rizzoli had 11 to go with 12 kills.

Cooke-Tripp said, "Ava came off of an injury last year and got to see and learn a lot on the sidelines. Coming into this fall, she has had an easier transition, just from getting that extra knowledge and training. She's a super positive, happy kid. When you're on the front line as an attacker and know someone has your back, it's easier to keep swinging away."

For the Lakers first-year head coach, the Hardrocker Tournament wraps up her first official weekend of competition. When asked to reflect on it personally, Cooke-Tripp didn't dwell much on the personal journey, focusing instead on what lies ahead., "It feels good," she said, "but's not about me, it's about them. I want them to have a really great experience and to learn to play a really high level of volleyball."

Players like Bilgiçer, Wells and Rizzoli played at very high levels this weekend, bringing further confidence in good times ahead.

LSSU hits the road next week, traveling to Crestview Hills, KY for the Thomas More Tournament, another out-of-conference showcase. They'll play Central State and Kentucky State on Friday, September 4th, then Salem and Thomas More on Saturday, September 5th. Then the team opens GLIAC play with matches at Grand Valley State and Wisconsin Parkside. Follow along all season by downloading the new Lake Superior State Lakers app, available on the App Store and Google Play.