WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS OUTAST LANCERS IN FIVE-SET THRILLER

Box Score As the playoff push continues for the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team, they begin a six match homestand to close out the season.

On Friday, the Lakers took on the Windsor Lancers in the first of a pair of matches on the weekend.

Nipissing dug deep to pick up an exciting 3-2 win over the Lancers to kickoff the weekend in style.

It was a great start to the match, as both teams came out strong to kick things off.

Nipissing grabbed an early lead, going up 11-7 – a lead they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the opening set.

From there, the Lakers were able to stay out in front of the Lancers, adding to their lead and taking control of the first game.

After leading 21-16, the teams traded points down the stretch, with Nipissing coming away with a 25-20 win.

In the second set, the Lakers once again grabbed an early lead, up 8-7 as they looked to go up 2-0 in the match.

They went on a run and outscored Windsor 12-7 to hit the 20-point mark, leading by six.

The Lancers closed the gap, making it 22-18, but Nipissing was still in charge and maintained a healthy lead, eventually taking the second set.

Thanks to a 25-20 win in the second game, the Lakers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the match.

Looking to close things out in straight sets, the Lakers couldn’t keep pace with a determined Lancers squad.

Windsor refused to go away, leading for most of the third set and earning the win.

They jumped ahead 10-7 early on and pushed the advantage to 17-14 midway through the set.

Nipissing fought back late, but the Lancers held on for a 25-18 win in the third game.

Windsor kept their momentum from a win in the third set and controlled the fourth.

They led 8-5 early and didn’t look back, going up 17-10 midway through the set and setting the pace.

Up 21-16 late, the Lancers looked to close things out, but the Lakers had something to say about it.

Going on a 7-3 run, Nipissing closed the gap to within one, trailing 24-23 late in the set.

Despite tying the set 24-24, the Lakers fell 26-24 as the match headed to a fifth set.

The fifth set didn’t disappoint.

With the score tied 7-7, the teams traded points and found themselves tied 13-13 with the match on the line. Paige Owen had a big match with 15 kills, Kristine Ledger and Madison Murphy each added 12 and Oceane Raymond earned 11 in the Lakers victory.

Two big points by the Lakers gave them a thrilling 15-13 win in the fifth as they claimed the match 3-2.
 
The teams are back at it Saturday at noon to close out the weekend.