ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The Saginaw Valley State University women's volleyball team got back on track today (9/30) with a victory over rival Grand Valley State University, 3-2. The Cardinals improve to 7-5 overall and 6-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while the Lakers fall to 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the conference.

The Lady Cardinals got out to a slow start dropping the first game 25-20 before bouncing back from an early deficit in the second game to prevail with a 25-18 win. Leading 14-7 in the third, the Cardinals staved off a Grand Valley rally to take the game by a 27-25 count. However, the Lakers would overwhelm SVSU in the fourth 25-12. Saginaw Valley came up with a big win in the fifth set as senior Laura Ward (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland HS) closed out the match with an ace to win 16-14.

The Cardinals were lead by senior Annie Buxton (Aurora, Ont./Aurora SS) who earned Chili's "Player of the Match" honors with a match-high 19 kills, 19 digs and three service aces. Fellow senior Katie Fitzgerald (Whitby, Ont./Sinclair SS) recorded 13 kills along with a .379 hitting percentage on the evening. Junior Laurel Mattson (Lake Odessa, Mich./Lakewood HS) tallied 18 digs and two aces, while Laura Ward had 28 digs and three aces, including the game-winner. Setters Sam Breault (Bad Axe, Mich.) and Andrea Meram (Washington Twp., Mich./Romeo HS) recorded 27 and 18 assists, respectively.

The Cardinals look to keep the momentum going when they visit the GLIAC North-leading Ferris State Bulldogs tomorrow (Saturday) for a 2:00 pm contest.