Spikers Fail To Gain GLIAC Title After Falling To Top-Seeded Grand Valley State

By Anthony Fontana

SVSU's volleyball team had high hopes entering the GLIAC tournament. They didn't disappoint, as they advanced all the way to the championship match against host Grand Valley State University before dropping the match, 3-1.

First up for the Cards was number two seed Michigan Tech. The Cards were at a disadvantage to start the game because the match was played at Michigan Tech in front of a packed gym. This had no effect on the Cards as they defeated the Huskies 3-0. They won by scores of 25-13, 25-18, and 25-23.

The Cards jumped out to an early lead in the first game that they would never relinquish. Senior outside hitter Sarah Redoute led the attack with
13 kills, eight digs, two blocks and an ace. Senior defensive specialist Carmen Schacher led the Cardinal defense with 20 digs and an ace in the opening match of the tournament.

Next up for the Cardinals was Northern Michigan University, whom the Cardinals already had defeated twice this season. The Cards made quick work of the Wildcats as they won in straight sets by scores of 25-19,
25-22 and 25-19.

Junior setter Kait Harris contributed with 24 assists and 11 digs. Redoute led the offense with 13 kills and
11 digs. Schacher led the Cardinal defense with 20 digs. With the win, the Cards advanced to the championship match of the GLIAC tournament for the first time in school history where rival Grand Valley awaited.

The Cardinals dug themselves into an early hole as they dropped the first two games of the match by scores of
20-25 and 18-25. SVSU managed to claw back into the match by winning the next game by the score of 25-15. That was as close as the Cards would get to the Lakers. They would fall in the next set by the score of 14-25, ending the Cards championship aspirations.

The first set was a back-and-forth battle that was close throughout. With the score tied at 16, the Lakers scored the next five points to take over momentum and win the first set.

The Lakers were able to carry the momentum they gained into the second match. Their lead hit a peak of nine points before they closed out the Cards.

Leading 17-14 in the third set, the Cards scored five straight points to secure the set.

The Cards led the fourth set early on before the Lakers scored five straight points in the middle of the set to win the championship.

Redshirt freshman middle hitter Annie Buxton led the Cardinals in the championship match with 12 kills. Redoute contributed offensively with seven kills. She also helped out on defense with 11 digs. Harris led the Cardinals with 28 assists. She also had four kills to go along with 13 digs.