UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team honored four seniors on Friday night before falling in straight sets to Grand Valley State University at Hamilton Gymnasium. The Lakers took the match by scores of 25–16, 25–20, and 25–14.

Prior to the match, SVSU recognized seniors Ella Lochbiler (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota HS), Alena Whittaker (Grand Haven, Mich. / Grand Haven HS), Emily Foster (Ferndale, Mich. / Ferndale HS), and Liz Bruschuk (Villa Park, Ill. / Willowbrook HS) for their contributions to the program.

The Cardinals (8–17, 2–11 GLIAC) were led by Rachel Townsend (Oxford, Mich. / Oxford HS), who recorded 12 kills and seven digs while hitting .235. Ava Beard (Berkley, Mich. / Berkley HS) posted a double-double with 20 assists, 13 digs, and two aces. Kendall White (DeWitt, Mich. / St. John's HS) added five digs and an ace, while Bruschuk chipped in six digs and an ace. Kelsey Foster (Oswego, Ill. / Oswego HS) contributed 11 digs and an ace.

As a team, SVSU totaled 33 kills, 50 digs, and four service aces. Grand Valley hit .333 with 40 kills and 10 blocks.

Set One (16–25)

Grand Valley opened the match with a 9–4 lead before SVSU rallied to cut the deficit to one at 13–12 behind kills from Chloe Vanwinkle (Clio, Mich. / Clio HS), Emily Foster, and Townsend. The Lakers responded with a 7–1 run to regain control and went on to claim the first set.

Set Two (20–25)

The second set featured several early lead changes as the Cardinals held a one-point advantage three times. A 7–1 run gave GVSU a 12–7 lead, but SVSU answered with a 5–2 stretch highlighted by a Townsend kill and a Beard ace to pull within two. Later, a 5–1 Cardinal run forced a Laker timeout with GVSU up 18–17. However, Grand Valley regrouped to win seven of the final 10 points and take the set.

Set Three (14–25)

SVSU started strong, using a 5–0 run to lead 7–5 with two kills from Kendall Ihm (Owosso, Mich. / Owosso HS). The Lakers quickly responded, using an 8–2 run to take a four-point lead before closing the match with an 11–2 stretch to secure the sweep.

Up Next: The Cardinals have been eliminated from GLIAC Tournament contention. SVSU will close out its home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 8, hosting Wayne State at 4:30 p.m. from Hamilton Gymnasium. The Cardinals will then travel to Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan next weekend to wrap up the 2025 season.