HOUGHTON, Mich. – Roosevelt's defense rose to the occasion Saturday in a tight three-set loss to Michigan Tech in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action in Houghton, Michigan.

The Lakers (1-15, 0-8 GLIAC) recorded eight total blocks, half of which came off the hands of senior Krista Norton. The Snohamish, Washington native had a solo block and three assisted blocks to lead Roosevelt in the 25-21, 25-20, 25-16 setback against the Huskies. Viktoria Marysheva and Yuliia Shchepkina both had a solo stuff and two assisted blocks as well in the loss.

Shchepkina had two of her blocks come in the opening set to help keep Roosevelt in the game near the end. Emily DeBlecourt and Aleksandra Barac both had four kills in the first set as the Lakers tried to overcome a late seven-point deficit. They were able to claw within three after holding off two set points, but DeBlecourt's attack just missed to give the Huskies the opening set.

Roosevelt fell behind 8-2 in the second set, but showed off its resolve by winning five of the next six points. The Lakers were eventually able to tie the set at 13 and even led in the middle of the set, but could not hold onto the advantage. In the third set, Michigan Tech rocketed out to a 9-1 lead and the Lakers struggled to claw their back into the match.

DeBlecourt led the Lakers with eight kills and Barac had seven while Marysheva added six kills on offense. Shchepkina also joined DeBlecourt for the joint lead with two aces while Cydney Martinez helped anchor Roosevelt's transition defense with 13 digs from her spot at libero.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt will head to Hammond, Indiana next week for the Midwest Crossover featuring schools from the GLIAC, GMAC and GLVC. The schedule for the event will be announced early next week.