After surging past Wayne State University in the semi-finals of the GLIAC Conference Tournament, the Grand Valley State University volleyball team met up with Northwood University for the third time this season, this time, in the championship match.

“I thought we came out with a purpose,” said head coach Deanne Scanlon. “The girls were excited and ready to go, I don’t think any of them were nervous to say the least.”

Despite the excitement, the Lakers — who lost their previous two matches against Northwood — could not snap that streak on Sunday, dropping the match in four sets, 24-26, 25-23, 25-15 and 25-22.

The Lakers battled with Northwood point for point in the first set as Lindsey Holt sealed it up for the Lakers with an ace to win the set 26-24.

“It was a great serve,” said sophomore Ally Simmons. “We always feel confident with her back there. It was key for us to pick up that set, Lindsey came through when we needed her.”

In the second set, the Timberwolves got out to an early 4-0 lead. The Lakers were able to rally back and fired punch for punch up to the point in the set as it was tied 21-21. Northwood was able to escape the set 25-23.

“That was without a doubt the momentum changer,” Simmons said. “If we go on to win that set, it probably would have been a completely different outcome.”

Riding the momentum from the second set, Northwood got out to a 7-1 lead in the third set and never looked back as they went on to win the set 25-15.

“After the second set we were reeling and looking for answers,” Scanlon said. “That second set was a huge missed opportunity and we were really never able to recover from it.”

In the fourth set, the Lakers battled back from a 16-12 deficit to tie it up at 21-21. Much like the second set, the Timberwolves came through in crunch time to win the set 25-22, and the overall match 3-1.

“Our inability to take a big swing when we needed to the most ultimately led to our loss,” said Scanlon. “We got too tentative. We just can’t do that in those type of situations.”

Freshman Betsy Ronda led the Lakers with eight kills in the match and continues to shine as a bright spot for GVSU.

“She’s a great player,” said sophomore Claire Ruhenkamp. “She continues to impress and gets better every day.”

The Lakers will now focus on the NCAA Division II Tournament, and there aspirations to return to the Elite Eight.

“Looking forward to the regional tournament, we have to have that bulldog mentality,” Scanlon said. “We won’t take any moral victories out of the GLIAC tournament. It’s going to be our goal to win our region and ultimately get back to the Elite Eight.”

The Lakers will now have a two-week break before gearing up for the NCAA Division II Regional tournament.
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