MIDLAND, Mich. — The Lake Erie women's volleyball team traveled to Northwood University to face the Timberwolves for their first G-MAC match of the season. In an exciting five set match, the Storm would fight all the way to 17-15, yet were bested by Northwood. Lake Erie now moves to a 0-1 conference record and are 1-8 overall.
The Storm started off the first set with a kill from senior captain Dora Olah. Senior Katelyn McMoore and freshman Ni'yah Fuggs were quick to follow with their first kills of the match. Lake Erie grew a 6-2 lead over the Timberwolves, as their defense and offense stayed tight. Northwood was able to tie it up at 17-17, yet errors from the Timberwolves gave Lake Erie the lead again going into the end of the set. Northwood was able to secure the set from errors and kills, with a 26-24 win.
The second set was consistent in the beginning, yet the Storm was looking to force a fourth set after a run from Olah. Lake Erie held a 11-5 lead over the Timberwolves, with kills from McMoore and errors from Northwood. Solid offense from senior Alexandra Matthews, senior Julianna Krebasch, and McMoore helped Lake Erie take the set 25-18.
The third set was back and forth, with both teams looking to take their second set. The battle took the set to a 22-22 tie, with a pair of errors and a service ace from Krebasch handing Lake Erie the 25-23 win.
Despite the Storm putting away 13 kills over Northwood's 12 kills in the fourth set, the Timberwolves took the game 25-21. Efforts from Olah, Krebasch, senior Anna Lewis, and Matthews kept the Storm in the game throughout the set.
In a final fifth set, the Storm started off with a 4-1 lead after a run from junior Brooklyn Broadway. Neither side of the net let up, with a 14-14 tie at the end. An error from the Timberwolves gave Lake Erie match point, yet Northwood put down a pair of kills with a Storm error to give them the match winning set, 17-15.
Junior captain Simone Schurr matched her career high of 38 assists. Olah achieved her career high of 20 kills, and Broadway picked up 12 digs.
The Storm continue their string of road games on September 16th at Hillsdale to face the Chargers at 1:00 PM.