Facing off against a nationally-ranked opponent, the Hillsdale College volleyball team got off to  a slow start and never recovered in a three-set loss to #13 Grand Valley State in the finale of the Lakers' home invitational on Saturday.

Playing in hostile territory, the Chargers struggled offensively in the first set, finishing with just eight kills in a 25-14 defeat. Hillsdale played better in the next two sets but never got the Lakers off their game, as GVSU hit .385 for the match and closed out the sweep with 25-20, 25-20 set victories to take the match.

GVSU's netplay was just too much for the Chargers in the match, as the Lakers finished with 46 kills to Hillsdale's 32, nine attack errors to Hillsdale's 23, and GVSU doubled up the Chargers in blocks, 10-5.

Sophomore Caroline Lanicek was a bright spot for the Chargers offense, hitting .600 with 11 kills to lead Hillsdale at the net, and senior Adi Sysum chipped in seven kills as well for the Chargers. Jenna Southland, another sophomore, added four total blocks for the Chargers, while redshirt freshman Ella Byrum chipped in eight digs to lead Hillsdale defensively, and Josie Teslaa added 20 assists and seven digs.

Hillsdale (2-4) will look to bounce back next week as the Chargers start G-MAC play at home. First up on Friday at 7 p.m. is Ohio Dominican, and the Chargers close out the weekend on Saturday against Cedarville at 1 p.m. in Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.