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Sept. 6, 2008
Denver, Colo. - In another match-up of top-25 teams, #7 Grand Valley State swept #21 Chico State on Saturday afternoon, 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-19). It was the third match of the Regis Premier Challenge in Denver, Colo. for the Lakers and their fourth match of the season against a nationally-ranked opponent.
GVSU improves to 5-2 on the year, while Chico State is also 5-2. The Lakers are 2-2 against top-25 opponents in 2008, also defeating #17 Pittsburg State, while falling to #3 Truman State and #15 Augustana. The match was the first match in the 'Silver' bracket of the tournament. With the win, Grand Valley State moves on to face West Florida at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday in the 'Silver' championship match.
Against the Wildcats on Saturday, the teams were tied for the eighth time in the opening set at 13-13. GVSU extended the lead to 19-14 and closed the match with a 6-2 run to take the first set. Chico State managed a .000 hitting percentage (10 kills, 10 errors), while the Lakers tallied a .258 clip (11 kills, three errors).
The second set saw Grand Valley State jump ahead 17-8. Although the Wildcats put together a strong run late in the set, the Lakers withstood the push and won the set, 25-20. GVSU used 14 kills and just four errors for a .345 attack percentage, while holding Chico State to a .156 mark (11 kills, six errors).
Grand Valley State closed the match out with a strong third set, leading 16-9. The two teams traded points the rest of the match, with Chico State getting within three points at 20-17. A 5-2 run would close the set and match in GVSU's favor. The Lakers hit well with a .250 hitting percentage, while the Wildcats managed a .125 clip.
For the match, Grand Valley State hit well, recording 39 kills and a .281 mark. Defensively, GVSU held Chico State to an .083 attack percentage and the Lakers recorded 12.0 total team blocks, including 20 block assists.
Sophomore middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin was the lone player on either team with double-digit kills, as she tallied 11 finishers and a .429 hitting mark. Senior Danielle Alexander added eight kills (only one error) and seven block assists. Junior Meredith Young tallied a match-high 17 digs, while senior setter Jamie Ashmore notched 29 assists and 10 digs.
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