Courtesy: Florida Southern University

Charger volleyball won one out of three games in the Grand Rapids Downtown Classic in Allendale, Michigan, Sept. 12 and 13.

The Chargers split matches Sept. 12, winning 3-0 against Wheeling University, and losing 3-1 against University of Central Missouri. The Chargers lost 3-0 to host Grand Valley State University Sept. 13. 

The Chargers started the series with a three-set victory against Wheeling, winning 25-20 in the first set, 25-22 in the second set, and pulling through with a 25-15 win in the last set. 

Six Chargers finished with four or more kills against Wheeling. Sophomore Jenna Southland led the match with 11 kills, three blocks, and one ace. 

“Overall our game against Wheeling went well,” Southland said. “We really trusted each other to put the ball away when we got the opportunity.”

Sophomore Caroline Lanicek said the team played with a lot of energy against Wheeling.

“We came out with lots of energy and worked to maintain it the entire game,” Lanicek said. “The court and bench were constantly communicating, and we focused on exposing their defense.” 

Head coach Chris Gravel said this was the best the team has played this season.

“Friday, we demonstrated a high level of determination and resilience,” Gravel said. “It was the most consistent day of competition so far this season.”

On Saturday, the Chargers had a slower start, losing their third game of the weekend.

“Saturday’s match was a different story,” Gravel said. “We were unable to maintain our level of toughness demonstrated on the previous day of competition.” 

Southland said the team plans to take what they learned from this weekend and bring it into their practices. 

“This week at practice we will work hard and soak up the feeling of this weekend so we can use it as motivation and fuel for our upcoming games,” Southland said.

According to Gravel, the team will strengthen physically and mentally to prepare for their next games. 

“This week we will continue to strengthen our toughness with focused, intentional practices at a high-level difficulty both physically and mentally,” Gravel said. 

The Chargers will have their next games Sept. 19 and 20 as they start in-conference games at home. They will play Ohio Dominican University at 7 p.m. Friday and Cedarville University at 1 p.m. Saturday in Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.