DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (3-0 GLIAC) stayed unbeaten with a four-set win over Grand Valley State (2-1 GLIAC) on Thursday night.  It was the home opener for the program and the Warriors won sets two (25-23), three (25-15) and four (25-16).  Dating back to last season, WSU has won 10 of its last 11 matches.  Wayne State has topped GVSU five straight times and six of the last seven meetings.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Wayne State started fast in the opening set, leading 10-4 after a GVSU attacking error.  However, the Lakers would come back and tie the set at 11-11.  The teams traded punches throughout the middle of the set but the visitors held onto a 17-14 advantage following a WSU service error.  The Warriors trimmed the deficit to two, 20-18, on a kill from senior Julia Malewicz (Macomb, Mich. / Utica Academy for International Studies / Henry Ford II) but GVSU would go on to win 25-18.

The second set was tight early as the teams were tied at 5-5 until a block from Malewicz gave WSU a one-point lead.  An ace from Haley Blaney pushed GVSU ahead 11-7 but the Green & Gold responded with four straight points, including two kills each from redshirt junior Taylor Wagner (St. Joseph, Mich. / Lakeshore) and freshman Jenna Kray (Westerville, Ohio / Worthington Christian).  The game stayed dead locked at 14-14 but Wayne State used an 8-3 rally to take a 20-16 lead.  The Lakers stayed close at 23-22 and 24-23 but kills from Malewicz and Wagner sealed the deal to give WSU a 25-23 victory and tie the match at 1-1.

Sophomore Maddie Morrison (Flushing, Mich.) and redshirt sophomore Halle Shell (Port Huron, Mich. / Port Huron Northern) teamed up for a block early in the third set to give Wayne State a 7-5 lead.  An ace from junior Kamryn Duffield (Romeo, Mich.) gave the home team a 16-10 lead and WSU led 20-15 after a point by Malewicz.  Wayne State would cruise to a 25-15 set-three win and take a 2-1 match lead.

Two kills from Kray and another by Malewicz put the Green & Gold on top 6-3 to start the fourth set.  The set was tied at 10-10 after a kill by Sarah Wight and the Lakers took a 14-13 lead after a Warrior error.  Wayne State would take control with a 7-1 run capped by a point by Duffield.  Wayne State held onto the momentum and won 25-16 to seal the 3-1 match victory.

COACH KOTH'S THOUGHTS
"It was another classic Wayne State and Grand Valley State rivalry match.  These games are always very competitive and intense.  I think the key area that was the difference in the match and that was our relentless pressure in the serve/pass game.  We served extremely tough and challenged them.  We got an outstanding performances from Taylor and Kamryn."

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Wagner tallied a double-double of 16 kills and 13 digs, while hitting .250.  Malewicz finished with 10 kills and 10 digs to notch a double-double of her own.  Duffield had 42 assists, while sophomore Maddy Benoit (Farmington, Mich. / Mercy) had a team-high 18 digs.

ONE BIG THING
Wayne State was solid in the serve game on Thursday, collecting four aces, while GVSU finished with eight service errors compared to WSU's five.

UP NEXT
The Green & Gold will host GVSU on Friday afternoon with the first serve set for 1:00 PM.