The #8 Grand Valley State volleyball team closed its weekend at the Augustana Showcase and was dealt a 3-1 loss (19-25, 25-22, 16-25, 23-25) by the host Augustana Vikings on Saturday (Sept. 12) evening. GVSU returns to Allendale for the start of conference play next weekend (Sept. 18-19) against Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State.

After sweeping Minnesota Crookston earlier in the day, the Lakers looked like they were getting back on track after falling to a pair of undefeated teams on Friday (Sept. 11). However, Augustana - who moves to 7-1 with the win - showed it was a formidable foe, especially on its home court. GVSU is 4-4 after a pair of four-match weekends to start the season.

Augustana tallied more kills (54-39), digs (87-73), service aces (7-3), and a better hitting percentage (.166 to .089) than the Lakers. Both teams recorded eight total blocks. 

In the opening frame, the Vikings turned a small 11-9 lead into a 17-9 advantage that really opened up the score. Grand Valley State rallied back to within 21-17 after a Taylor Stewart ace and a Staci Brower kill. Consecutive putaways from freshman Brooke Smith and senior Kourtney Wolters made the score 23-19, but Augustana notched the final two points to take the set.

The second frame was tied at 14-14 before a 5-1 Laker run made the score 19-15, including a pair of kills from redshirt freshman Shannon Winicki and one kill apiece from Brower and Wolters. Augustana rallied to tie the score at 21-21. GVSU then answered with a Jessica Majerle kill, a Betsy Ronda service ace, and two Viking errors. Smith finished the stanza with a kill to knot the match at one set apiece.

With the Vikings leading set three 11-9, the home team ran off a 7-3 run to build an 18-12 advantage. Grand Valley State pulled with in three points at 18-15 after back-to-back kills from Wolters and senior Kaleigh Lound, but that is as close as the Lakers would get, as Augustana scored six of the last seven points in the set.

In the fourth set, Augustana was up 21-15, but GVSU would not go away quietly. Ronda and Majerle put down consecutive kills and the Lakers were suddenly down 23-19. A kill from Smith and a Taylor Shomin service ace was followed by a combined Majerle-Brower block to make the score 23-22. The Vikings led 24-23 when GVSU's last attack went out of bounds, giving Augustana the win.

Majerle led the Lakers with 10 kills, her second double-digit effort of the weekend. She also added three block assists. Smith picked up a career-high 24 digs and supplied seven kills, while Brower notched seven kills and four total blocks (two solo). 

Stewart handed out 22 assists and picked up 12 digs, while sophomore Katie Olson provided 13 assists and eight digs. Ronda recorded eight digs and five kills.

GVSU's conference home opener is next Friday night (Sept. 18) at 7:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena against Wayne State.