DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (4-7 overall, 0-3 GLIAC) will look to jump back into the win column on Saturday afternoon when it takes on Lake Superior State (3-7 overall, 0-2 GLIAC).  First Serve inside LSSU's Bud Cooper Gymnasium between the Warriors and Lakers is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Coach's Corner
"Our second trip of the week will be a challenge," said head coach Tim Koth.  "But we have practiced well, and look forward to getting back on the court against Lake Superior State."

Warrior Strong
Starting on offense, three players have been the catalyst for Wayne State's attack.  Those three are junior outside hitter Saige Martin (134 kills, .171 hitting percentage), senior outside hitter Katie Smith (119, .251) and sophomore middle hitter Katerina Stout (95, .282).  Having just come back from an injury with six matches played (four starts), junior opposite Kyleigh Weck is up to 57 kills and a .387 hitting efficiency to show for them.  Senior setter Kayla Dulgar continues to lead the Green and Gold in the two other major offensive categories, including 416 assists and 12 service aces.  Right on the heels of those 12 aces are 10 from Smith, already four shy of the career high she set as a freshman in 2023.  Defensively for the Warriors, freshman libero Giselle Burlingame (133 digs) and Stout (41 total blocks) are the squad's frontrunners.

Recent History
Wayne State has lost just two of the last 18 meetings with Lake Superior State, a stretch that goes back to nearly 14 years ago, September 22 of 2012.  In those same 18 matches, the Warriors have won 50 of the 59 total sets played.  WSU's last two defeats at the hands of LSSU happened during the 2023 season, Sept. 23, 2023 in the Matthaei and Oct. 6, 2023 on the Lakers' floor.

Head Coaching Debut
Lake Superior State is led by first-year head coach Chelsea Cooke-Tripp.  Cooke-Tripp served as an assistant coach at Adams State (2023-26) prior to her arrival at LSSU.  Cooke-Tripp coached three RMAC All-Conference players in 2023, the same number in 2024, and 2025 AVCA All-American selection Hadleigh Richardson.  The Grizzlies saw their winning percentage jump from .308 to .500 during her time with the program.  Prior to her tenure in Colorado, Cooke-Tripp spent three years at  Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio of the NCAA Division III ranks.  The Pioneers saw their winning percentage leap from .389 to .678.  She was a four-year player who was never substituted out at Glenville State University (then Glenville State College) in West Virginia.

Scouting Lake Superior State
Like Wayne State, Lake Superior State has dropped three matches in a row, but the Lakers haven't won a set in any of those three.  That includes 3-0 to Thomas More to conclude the Saints' Tournament, 3-0 at Grand Valley State and 3-0 at Parkside.  Prior to that was a stretch of the complete opposite nature as the Lakers opened the TMU event with three straight sweeps -- Central State, Kentucky State and Salem.  That streak followed four consecutive losses at the South Dakota Mines' Hardrocker Tournament.

Individually, starting on offense, Lake Superior State's approach has been fueled by a pair of primary performers.  That tandem includes second-year opposite Elisa Rizzoli (84 kills and 10 service aces) and first-year setter Azra Bilgiçer (114 assists).  Defensively, Rizzoli has also made headlines with a team-leading 101 digs, second-year libero Ava Wells is right behind her with 91, and fourth-year middle hitter Morgan Deming has racked up 26 total blocks.

Up Next
Wayne State will return home for a pair of matches next week.  The Warriors will host Michigan Tech on Friday at 6:30 p.m. for Pajama Night inside the Matthaei.  Then the following Saturday, WSU will welcome Roosevelt with a 4 p.m. first serve for Family Day.