The No. 19 Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team (9-2) secured two away victories, defeating rival Ferris State University (8-4) in five sets and Davenport University (6-5) in four sets.
Friday’s Ferris matchup was announced as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Game of the Week, featuring the two top-20 teams that were regular-season GLIAC champions last year.
In the opening set, both teams battled back and forth for the lead. Ferris was able to have a late 3-0 run to go up 16-12, but the Lakers clawed their way back, and went on an 8-3 run. GVSU took the first set, 25-23.
In the second set, it was pretty much a broken record, as the Bulldogs went up 18-13 halfway through the set. The Lakers once again prevailed, going on a demanding 12-2 run and taking the set 25-20.
In the third set, down 9-6, the Bulldogs went on an 8-1 run and held control over the Lakers, taking set three, 25-22. In the fourth set, the Bulldogs dominated the Lakers, never allowing them to regain momentum.
The fifth set exhibited much more swagger from both teams. GVSU went up 8-5 to start the set before Ferris tied the game, later going on a 6-0 run. Ferris had an opportunity to close it out, but a last-minute kill by senior outside hitter Kendall Stover and a block each from redshirt junior middle blocker Brianna Stawski and junior outside hitter Kate Goudreau helped the Lakers prevail and win the match.
Senior setter Meghan O’Sullivan had a huge performance against the Bulldogs, earning 16 kills, 19 assists, and 11 digs.
“I think as a team we came in ready to go, so I was leaning on my teammates and I just wanted to be at the ball yesterday,” said O’Sullivan. “I felt good from the start of the day so I think everybody else’s performances allowed me to do my best as well.”
With O’Sullivan complimenting her teammates, Stover returned the accolade and recognized O’Sullivan’s work on the court Friday.
“Super-duper proud of Meg,” said Stover. “Her confidence has grown a ton as a player and leader, and that is starting to show in such a positive way.”
Echoing the team’s praise of O’Sullivan’s leadership throughout the game, coach Jason Johnson noted her performance.
“I thought Meghan was exceptional in that match,” said Johnson. “She shouldered such a load.”
The Lakers next made their way to crosstown rival Davenport. In the first set, the Panthers went up 11-2 before the Lakers responded with through a 10-2 score. However, Davenport held on through the rest of the set, taking it 22-25.
In the second set, GVSU started with a 5-1 lead, but Davenport eventually tied the game. Yet, once again, GVSU responded with a 9-2 run, winning set two, 25-19.
Tied at one set apiece, Davenport opened set three with an 8-5 lead. The Lakers and Panthers went back and forth with lead changes, but GVSU ultimately took the set, 25-18.
In the fourth set, the Panthers tied the game at 20 after the Lakers started the set with an early lead. The Lakers once again pushed through, winning the set and match. Stover posted a double-double, leading with a team high of 13 kills and 10 digs.
Winning this match was an accomplishment for Johnson, as it was announced postgame that he’s earned 100 career wins as a volleyball coach at GVSU.
“You know, it’s interesting,” said Johnson. “I’ve been a part of the GVSU program for probably 28 seasons now. My predecessor Deanne Scanlon, I think she was over 700 (or) 800 wins on her career, and I was a big part of a lot of those. I think that’s the thing with these 100, it is a great milestone to be part of.”
Looking back at the game, Stover said she tried to play smart.
“We had a really good game plan for where to go when we were in trouble, so I really just followed the game plan,” said Stover.
The Lakers will return home to the Fieldhouse Arena to face Wayne State University (8-3) Thursday, with the game beginning at 6:00 p.m.
