KIRTLAND, Ohio – The Lakeland Community College volleyball team was defeated today by Lorain County Community College, 3-2.
The Lakers and Commodores were locked in a tight battle to start the first set as the Lakers led 9-8 when Lorain took a timeout. The Lakers forced a timeout as they had scored three of the last four points. The Commodores scored three straight points out of the timeout and took an 11-9 lead. After the Commodores took a 17-15 advantage, the Lakers rattled off 4 straight points behind the strong serving of Kayla Zarbock (Willoughby Hills, Ohio / Willoughby South) to take a 19-17 advantage and force a Lorain timeout. Out of the break the Commodores rallied to score three straight points and regain a 20-19 lead, which forced the Lakers first timeout of the set. The Lakers were unable to overcome the Commodores lead and fell in the first set, 25-23.
Lorain rode their first set momentum to take a 7-1 advantage early in the second frame, which forced a Lakeland timeout. The Lakers continued to battle in the set but Lorain was able to maintain a 15-8 advantage which forced the second Lakeland timeout. After the timeout the Lakers rattled off four straight points to behind the serving of Nicolette Waite (Willoughby Hills, Ohio / Willoughby South), which cut the Commodores lead to 15-12. The Lakers were unsuccessful in overcoming the Lorain lead and fell, 25-18 in the second set.
The third set started as a back and forth battle until the Lakers were able to stretch out a 17-14 advantage which forced a Commodores timeout. After the timeout Lorain tied the game at 19 points apiece. The Lakers responded by stringing together four straight points and took a 23-19 lead to force a Lorain timeout. The Lakers held on to win the third set 25-21.
A pair of quick runs opened the fourth set as Lakeland jumped out to a 9-4 lead with a 4-0 run before Lorain answered with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 9 points apiece. The match remained tight as neither team could gain any separation, as the match remained tied at 21 points apiece. The Lakers went on a 4-0 run to close out the set and won, 25-22.
The Lakers and Commodores battled early in the fifth set as the teams traded the lead numerous times. Late in the final set the Commodores went on a 4-0 run and won the decisive set 15-9. Lorain won the match 3-2.
The Lakers offense was led by Cary Morin (Burton, Ohio / Newbury) as she had a team high 17 kills in the match. Morin also produced two aces, two digs, and a solo block. Defensively, the Lakers were led by Waite as she had a team high 18 digs. Brittany O'Hara (Sandusky, Ohio / Perkin) also pitched in for the Lakers with 13 digs, and a pair of kills.
Lakeland will return to the court Friday (Oct. 14) when they host Cincinnati State with the match set to begin at 6 p.m.
-Lakers-