WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS GRIND OUT SECOND STRAIGHT VICTORY

Box Score A dominant win Friday night was just what the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team needed as they look for a second half push towards the OUA Playoffs.

The Lakers swept aside the Trent Excalibur 3-0 Friday and were looking for more of the same Saturday afternoon.

Saturday was a bit tougher for the Lakers, as the Excalibur put together an impressive effort, but Nipissing was able to grind out a 3-1 win for their second straight victory.

A slow start hurt the Lakers, as they found themselves trailing for much of the first set.

Down 7-5 and 15-14, the Lakers fought back, but the Excalibur continued to separate the two teams late in the set.

Trent held a 20-16 advantage before Nipissing stormed back to take a 23-22 lead, going on a 7-2 run.

Unfortunately, the Excalibur answered and went on a 5-2 run of their own to steal the opening set, 27-25.

In the second set, it was another battle, with the Excalibur getting everything to fall, while the Lakers struggled to put together much of a run.

Nipissing trailed 5-4 early before the teams sat tied 14-14 midway through the set.

Trent grabbed a late lead, up 20-19, but a 6-1 run to cap off the scoring gave the Lakers a 25-21 win to even up the match.

With the score tied 1-1, the Lakers held on to the momentum they built at the end of the second set as they jumped out to an early 12-5 lead and extended that advantage to 15-5 midway through the set.

It was a dominating set by the Lakers, as they went up 18-8 and never looked back, winning the third game 25-8 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

After a huge win in the third set, the Lakers continued to roll, jumping out to an early lead and staying a few points ahead of Trent throughout the entire set.

Up 20-16 late, the Lakers closed out the match thanks to a 5-3 run, giving them a 25-19 win in the fourth and the victory in the match.

Oceane Raymond led the Lakers attack with 26 kills and 28.5 points, while Madison Murphy added nine kills and 10 points, while Amy Connelly had eight kills and 10 points in the victory.

Nipissing heads into their second half bye and will hit the court next on Jan. 27 in Kingston against the Queen’s Gaels.