DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball program (16-11 overall, 9-7 GLIAC) won its sixth straight match on Saturday afternoon over Grand Valley State (13-14 overall, 8-8 GLIAC) in five sets.  The Warriors dropped the first two sets 21-25 and 27-29 before winning the next three sets by scores of 25-15, 25-15 and 15-9.

Prior to the match, Wayne State recognized its two senior Madelyn Krenz (Chenoa, Ill. / Prairie Central) and Claire McWilliams (Muskegon, Mich. / Fruitport).

HOW IT HAPPENED
The visiting Lakers led the opening set 9-4 and eventually 17-10.  A 3-0 rally by the Warriors trimmed the deficit to three, 20-17.  Two kills from Olivia Fike (North Branch, Mich.) plus one by Taylor Wagner (St. Joseph, Mich. / Lakeshore) made it 23-21 in favor of GVSU but the Lakers would go on to win 25-21.

The Warriors led the second set 6-4 and then back-to-back points from Fike gave the home team a 13-11 advantage.  Lauren VanderWal (Caledonia, Mich.) kept the Green & gold ahead 16-14 with a kill of her own.  WSU continued to lead 22-20 after a spike by Wagner.  The Warriors were a point away from winning the set at 24-22 but GVSU broke serve and eventually won 29-27.

Wayne State started the third set by leading 6-3 after two kills from Fike.  WSU continued to control the momentum and two Laker errors plus a kill from VanderWal and an ace by Wagner pushed the home advantage to 11-6.  The Warriors stretched its lead to 17-8 on a kill from Summer Farris (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington) and eventually led 20-12.  WSU would avoid the sweep by winning 25-15.

The Lakers led 4-2 early in the fourth set but the Green & Gold responded by taking a 9-4 advantage powered by three GVSU errors. A point by VanderWal pushed WSU's lead to 16-10.  The Warriors would cruise to a 25-15 win and force a fifth set.

In the race to 15, Wayne State won the first four points, including a service ace by Kamryn Duffield (Romeo, Mich.).  Duffield dumped a ball over the net for WSU's 10th point.  The Lakers pulled within two, 11-9, but the Warriors won the next four points to win the set 15-9 and the match 3-2.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Wagner paced the offense with 18 kills, while posting 14 digs.  VanderWal tallied 15 kills, while Krenz notched 14 and Fike totaled 13.

Duffield dished out 51 assists, while Maddy Benoit (Farmington, Mich. / Mercy) anchored the defense with 21 digs.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH KOTH
"What a great comeback for the Warriors today!  We steadied out our serve and pass game after Grand Valley State had really put a lot of pressure on us early.  It was a nice comeback win on Senior Day!"

UP NEXT
Wayne State will begin the postseason with GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal matchup at Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday night.  First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.