Nov. 17, 2007

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ALLENDALE, Mich. - A season that featured a conference championship, the most single-season victories since 1981 and the highest national ranking since 1989 had to end eventually. The No. 17 Lewis Flyers lost to No. 6 Grand Valley State 3-2 (26-30, 28-30, 30-23, 30-24, 15-5) in the Great Lakes Region final on Saturday night.

The Flyers jumped to a 5-2 lead in game one, but the Lakers responded to take a 14-11 lead. A 4-0 run by the Flyers, highlighted with an ace by sophomore Kim Richards, gave the Flyers a 15-14 advantage. Lewis increased it to two points at 20-18 on a kill by Richards, forcing GVSU to call a timeout. A powerful kill by freshman Lauren Seliga gave the Flyers match point at 29-24. After GVSU scored two straight points, a long serve by Erica Vandekopple gave game one to the Flyers.

Lewis jumped to a 7-5 lead in game two, thanks in part to two kills by junior Justina Begemann. A 5-0 run by GVSU gave the Lakers a 10-7 lead, but two straight aces by junior Lauren Hatter helped tie the game at 10. The squads played back and forth until the Lakers grabbed a 22-19 advantage. It wouldn't be that easy to put the Flyers away, though. Lewis scored five of the next seven points to tie the game at 24. GVSU took a 28-27 lead, and it looked like GVSU may tie the match. Kills by sophomore Stephanie Sagat and sophomore Sara deBuhr, followed with an ace by Sagat won game two for the Flyers in stunning fashion.

A 3-0 run by the Lakers started game three. GVSU would increase their lead to eight points throughout the game and cruised to victory.

The Lakers started game four by scoring the first six points. The Flyers crept back in the game at 15-11. Freshman Staci Paul entered the game to serve and spurred a run to help the Flyers get within two at 19-17. The Lakers responded with a 5-0 run and pulled away to tie the match at 2-2.

With game five tied at four, the Lakers grabbed momentum with a 9-0 run to take a 13-4 lead. Richards added another point for the Flyers but GVSU pulled out the final game.

"Give them the credit, they stepped it up," head coach Lorelee Smith said. "We did too, but they did just a little more."

Senior Andrea Morrone, deBuhr and Richards made the all-tournament team.

Richards recorded 15 kills, six digs and two assisted blocks.

deBuhr finished with a career-high 22 kills and four assisted blocks.

"We changed our rotation for Sara and she came through," Smith said. "She came out on fire and was just huge."

Morrone totaled 54 assists and tied a career-high with 28 digs in her final match as a Flyer.

Morrone finishes as Lewis' career leader in the rally scoring era in assists with 4,578 and digs with 1,399. Both marks also rank second in all-time Lewis history.

"Andrea is just so good, and never stops trying no matter what," Smith said. "I feel good about the position going into next year but we'll all miss her."

It was also the final Lewis match for Jackie Eichorst and Sylvia Ciezak.

"While Andrea was the only one on the court all of our seniors were huge tonight," Smith said. "They kept energy up and never quit."

Sagat recorded a double-double with 17 digs and 14 kills.

Seliga added 10 kills and seven digs.

The Lakers had four players reach double-digits in kills and four did the same in digs. Meredith Young had a match-high 37 digs.

Despite the match on the home court of the Lakers the Flyers had a strong following rooting them on.

"I love our fans, they follow us whenever they can and really keep us going." Smith said. "There were times when it was just as loud for us as it was for them."

The Lewis men's volleyball team made the trip and provided vocal support during the match.

"The guys have supported us all year long and we support them too," Smith said of the men's players in attendance. "I love having them there. It really helps both programs."

Grand Valley improved to 33-3 and the national finals to be played in two weeks.

The Flyers finished the season 32-4 with team records in shutouts (22), winning percentage (.889) digs (2,561) and assists (1,923).