CHICAGO – Roosevelt hung tough but eventually fell in four sets to Northern Michigan in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match Friday at the Goodman Center.

The Lakers (2-21, 1-10 GLIAC) were highly competitive in each of the first three sets, taking the opening set behind an efficient attack that hit .303. Alessia Isgro led the way with five kills in the set while Isa Grana, Vivienne Merchant and Lihi Zaibert each added three kills for the Lakers. The set featured seven ties and four lead changes, but Roosevelt was in control of the set for much of the game.

Northern Michigan's first lead in the opening set came at 9-8, but Roosevelt quickly countered with four straight points. The Lakers built an 18-13 advantage before the Wildcats clawed back with a 7-1 run to lead 20-19. Merchant recorded a kill to tie the set at 20 then Lillian Hallahan gave the Lakers the lead with a kill before joining with Nekane Parera on a block. Parera and Isgro finished the set with consecutive kills for Roosevelt.

The second set was tied eight times before Northern Michigan ran off a 6-0 run to take a 13-8 advantage. Roosevelt would cut the deficit down to 15-13 before the Wildcats finished the second set 25-16.

Roosevelt had its chances in the third set with the lead changing hands six times, but its best opportunity came after the Lakers went on a 5-0 run for a 16-14 edge. However,
Northern Michigan was able to steady the ship and take a 24-19 lead before Roosevelt mounted a final attack. Parera finished off an attack with a kill then the Lakers came up with consecutive blocks to stave off two more set points. However, Northern Michigan finished off the third set 25-22 then methodically pulled away for a 25-16 win in the fourth to close the match.

Isgro led the way for the Lakers with 12 kills while Zaibert added 10 kills and a .412 hitting percentage in the loss. The Lakers recorded 10 total blocks, five of which included Parera, who finished with five assisted stuffs. Zaibert had two solo blocks and an assisted one while Grana had a solo stuff and aided on three other blocks.

Elsewhere on the Roosevelt defense, the Lakers had three players finish with double-digit digs in the match, led by Cydney Martinez's 11. Regan Miessler had 10 in a little more than two sets of action and Zoe Hutchinson had 10 as well for the Lakers. Grana led the Lakers with 19 assists and Hutchinson had 16 helpers.

UP NEXT: The Lakers are right back on the court Saturday when they host Michigan Tech. First serve is set for 3 p.m. at the Goodman Center.