Nov. 9, 2006

Box Score

HILLSDALE, Mich. - Tenacious defense helped carry Lewis to its best season in over a decade, but it wasn't enough to get past defending national champion Grand Valley State, Thursday afternoon in a NCAA regional quarterfinal match at Hillsdale College. The No. 7 Lakers defeated the Flyers 30-22, 30-18, 30-32, 30-28.

"We got off to a slow start, but we played tough at the end," said Lewis coach Dan Friend. "This team battled all season, including today. Unfortunately, we just came up a bit short."

The Lakers came out every bit as powerful as advertised, quickly jumping to out to a 2-0 lead in the match. They went on to lead most of game three and even had a match-point opportunity, but the Flyers miraculously charged back.

Behind a defense that wouldn't quit, Lewis pushed the third game past 30 points and rallied to a 32-30 win with consecutive kills by Charisse Steckling.

Game four was tight the entire way, and appeared headed past 30 again, but the Lakers pulled it out at the end.

Steckling led Lewis with 12 kills, while Sara deBuhr added 10. Five Flyers reached double digits in digs, as Stephanie Sagat and Lauren Hatter each posted a team high of 14. Andrea Morrone and Theresa Nugent each had 13 digs, and Sarah McKinney had 11.

The Lakers were led by Meghan Moore's 24 kills and Alyson Riley's 29 digs. Grand Valley hit .267 and also had five players with double-digit dig totals.

The Flyers' NCAA Tournament appearance was the seventh in program history. Lewis finished the season 25-6.