Coach Koth Postgame Interview  |  Match Highlights

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (2-3, 0-1 GLIAC) opened up its home conference schedule as #18 Grand Valley State (3-2, 1-0 GLIAC) visited Midtown. The Lakers won in straight sets, 25-21, 34-32 and 25-23. The match was played in gyms 109/110 due to the main Matthaei floor nearing the completion of its renovation. The friendly confines made for a loud and spirited crowd, which saw three great sets of volleyball.

The two teams were tied at 5-5 to begin the first set. The Warriors took a 9-7 lead on a GVSU attack error. The game remained extremely close as the Lakers held onto a two-point advantage at 16-14 following a kill from Carley Gross. WSU took two points following a timeout called by first-year head coach Tim Koth to pull within a point at 18-17 but GVSU would respond by taking seven of the last 11 points to win the set 25-21.

A thrilling second set two began with the Lakers leading 11-5. WSU answered by taking 10 of 12 points giving the Warriors a 20-17 lead. Both team would trade the lead back and forth for the duration of the game. Both teams squandered opportunities to put away the set. GVSU finally took the set 34-32 and a 2-0 match lead into intermission. There were a total of 39 tie scores and 18 lead changes in the match.

Grand Valley State led 13-9 to begin the third set and forced an early Warrior timeout. WSU would storm back and take a 15-14 lead after a kill from Emily Norscia (?Livonia, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) Another kill from Norscia put WSU on top 18-17. GVSU went on a 4-1 run to retake the lead, 21-19, which forced another WSU timeout. The Warriors showed the same resolve they had all night and would take a 22-21 lead following back-to-back Laker attack errors. GVSU won four of the last five points to win the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

Norscia led the offense with 13 kills while hitting .444. Heather Weiss (?Fort Gratiot, Mich. / Port Huron) finished with 12 kills and 13 digs. Brittany Guldan (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Walled Lake Central) collected 18 helpers.

The Green & Gold will be back in action Saturday afternoon with a 2 PM match against #15 Ferris State.