WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS COMPLETE HUGE COMEBACK TO TOP BLUES

Box Score Looking to bounce back after a tough loss Friday night, the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team was back in action Saturday afternoon.

The Lakers hosted the Toronto Varsity Blues for the second time this weekend, wrapping up their two-match series at the Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.

In impressive fashion, the Lakers stormed back from down 2-0 to pick up a massive 3-2 comeback victory to close out the weekend with a split against the blues.

The team went back and forth early on, tied 7-7 in the early going.

Toronto went on a run and led 13-7, but the Lakers responded, closing the gap and trailing just 18-14 just past the midway point of the set.

Toronto was first to 20 points, however, Nipissing once again answered and even though they were down 22-20, the Lakers had gained some momentum towards the end of the game.

Nipissing managed to come all the way back to tie things up at 24-24, but Toronto was able to sneak out the win to go up 1-0 in the match.

The Lakers got off to a strong start in the second set, leading 5-2 early on.

Nipissing added to their lead and were up 14-10 midway through the set, but unfortunately the lead didn’t last and Toronto came storming back.

The Blues went on a 11-5 run to grab a late 21-19 lead and sealed the win in the second set, taking it 25-20.

There was no quit in the Lakers, as they stayed alive in the third set, getting off to a strong start and leading for the majority of the game.

After leading 7-6 early on, the Lakers built on their advantage and went up 15-13 midway through the set.

A 7-3 run had Nipissing in control late in the set and they forced a fourth set after a 25-20 victory.

In the fourth, as they looked to extend the match, the Lakers jumped out to an early lead, up 7-4.

The Blues fought back and tied things up at 16-16.

Nipissing would not be denied in the fourth set, putting the game away, winning 25-22 to send the match to a fifth set.

Fighting all the way, the Lakers would not be denied.

Nipissing led 3-2 early and used a 5-1 run to take control of the fifth set, leading 8-3 at the break as the teams switched sides.

Toronto fought back, pulling within two, as Nipissing continued to lead 10-8.

A 5-4 run to close out the set and the match, winning 15-12, earned the Lakers the victory and weekend split.

Paige Owen led the Lakers with 18 kills and 20.5 points, Ocean Raymond had 17 kills and 18.5 points, while Amy Connelly added 8 kills and 12.5 points in the match.

The Lakers close out the regular season at home next weekend, hosting the Western Mustangs on Saturday and Sunday.

Match times are noon both days.