The No. 13 Grand Valley State University volleyball team (5-2) played in the Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic from Sept. 12-13.
The Lakers went 2-1, as they were defeated by Central Missouri University (4-2) in three sets, but responded by sweeping both Wheeling University (0-7) and Hillsdale College (2-4).
Volleyball head coach Jason Johnson alluded to this tournament as an opportunity to build and grow for the rest of the season.
“It’s early in the season and we made some adjustments to the lineup early on, so I think right now it’s about growth and checking where we’re at and where we want to go,” Johnson said.
CMU opened the match with the first point while GVSU responded with a block. The Mules built momentum, going up 7-3 in the first set. The Lakers struggled for the majority of the first set, allowing the Mules to take set one, 25-15. The Mules had a much better hitting percentage, putting up .342 to the Lakers’ .182, as well as more assists, with 14 compared to GVSU’s 10.
The beginning of set two was much closer, as there were two lead changes in the first few serves. After the Mules scored three points in a row, the Lakers responded, tying the game at 10 apiece. CMU proceeded to go on a 7-1 run to force a Laker timeout. GVSU showed some fight as they went on a 3-0 run, but fell short in set two, 25-20. The Lakers went down in hitting percentage in set two, with .150, but held the Mules to a .200 hitting percentage.
Set three was the most competitive set, with one lead change and four ties. GVSU started a run as they went up 11-8 to force a CMU timeout. The Lakers continued their momentum with an 11-2 run, going up 20-11. In a match dominated by runs, the Mules responded with a 6-0 run. For every one point GVSU scored, the Mules responded with two, putting the score at 24-24. CMU won six straight points, along with the third and final set, 26-24, handing the Lakers their first home loss.
Johnson emphasized the team must lock in, focusing on the next play as opposed to the last play.
“It’s about the focus and energy,” Johnson said. “We can’t dwell on what happened, and now we move on. It’s all about the mindset and how we move forward as a team. The communication was good, and there was a good fight within our offense in the third set.”
For players like GVSU redshirt junior middleback Brianna Stawski, the game was all about team responsibilities and mentality.
“We have the saying of defending our home court, and I think we wanted it so much that we were worried about doing our job, which led to none of us doing our job,” said Stawski.
Another player, senior setter Meghan O’Sullivan echoed a similar sentiment.
“I think we were excited about the opener, but we didn’t walk onto the floor with the right mindset, and we had a hard time getting into our normal rhythm,” said O’Sullivan.
In their second game of the tournament, the Lakers faced Wheeling, looking to respond after a disappointing first match. The first set was controlled by the Lakers as they never trailed throughout the set, in addition to a 6-0 run. GVSU built off this momentum, finishing the set on a 14-5 run and winning 25-11. Stawski led the team with five kills, and the Lakers held an impressive .444 hitting percentage.
Set two started a bit closer but the Lakers ended up finding their footing, going on a 20-9 run, dominating the Cardinals and taking the set, 25-12. Many Lakers stepped up in this set, with senior outside hitter Kendall Stover leading the team with three kills, followed by Stawski and junior outside hitter Kate Goudreau’s two kills.
The Lakers continued their impressive play in set three as they went up 9-4 after a 6-0 run. The Cardinals responded with a 5-1 run, but the Lakers ended the set and game with a score of 25-17. GVSU had 45 kills and a .442 hitting percentage to WU’s 21 kills and .022 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Sara Pahl led the team with eight kills and a .667 hitting percentage, while sophomore setter Caroline Baker led the team with 21 assists.
GVSU faced the Chargers in their final match of the three-game tournament. The Lakers led most of the first set, as O’Sullivan had five kills, leading to a 25-14 win in the first set.
Hillsdale responded in the second set, scoring six points early, but a 6-0 run by GVSU tied the game at 10 apiece. Goudreau and Stawski’s three kills each allowed the Lakers to take the second set, 25-20.
The third and final set was a continuation of GVSU’s dominance. Stawski and Goudreau led the team with four kills, taking the set 25-20. The Lakers had 46 kills and a .385 hitting percentage compared to the Chargers’ 32 kills and .087 hitting percentage.
GVSU now improves to 5-2 on the season. The Lakers will return to action for the Laker Blue game, hosting Lake Superior State University (0-5) on Friday at 6 p.m.
