Follow all the 2012 GLVC/GLIAC Crossover action here

AURORA, Ill. - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team kicked off the 2012 GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Tournament by falling in straight sets to the University of Illinois at Springfield 25-13, 25-21, 25-23. The Cardinals are now 8-11 overall on the season.

The Prairie Stars gained the early momentum as they cruised to a 25-13 victory in the first set. Saginaw Valley responded in the second to take a 21-19 lead before dropping the next six points (25-21) to fall down 2-0 in the match.

The Cardinals fell behind early once again in the third only to battle back and knot the set at 19-19. However, Illinois-Springfield came through with big points down the stretch to sweep SVSU 3-0 with a 25-23 third game.

The Saginaw Valley offense was led by Chili's "Player of the Match" Makenzie Frodle (Fraser, Mich.) who posted 13 kills with a .312 hitting percentage. Sophomore Kate Czopek (Sterling Heights, Mich.) recorded eight kills on 22 attacks for the Cardinals, while Brooke Tiller (Maumee, Ohio) gathered 19 digs on the afternoon.

Sam Breault (Bad Axe, Mich.) dished out 20 assists for SVSU along with Julia Thomas (Novi, Mich.) and Lyndsay Reynolds (Saline, Mich.) who each added four kills each.

The Cardinals will return to action tomorrow (Oct. 13) with a pair of matches against Quincy (11:00 AM EST) and Drury (5:00 PM EST) to close out the 2012 Crossover Tournament.