UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team wrapped up its 2025 season with a five-set battle at home against Wayne State University on Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Gymnasium. It was a match of hot starts as the Cardinals jumped out to a 2–0 lead but ultimately fell 3–2, with set scores of 25–20, 26–24, 16–25, 17–25, 3–15.
The Cardinals (8–18, 2–12 GLIAC) were led by Chloe Vanwinkle (Clio, Mich. / Clio HS), who finished with 18 kills, 10 digs, and a career-high five aces for a double-double while hitting .200. Rachel Townsend (Oxford, Mich. / Oxford HS) followed with 15 kills and nine digs, and Emily Foster (Ferndale, Mich. / Ferndale HS) added eight kills and two blocks. Ava Beard (Berkley, Mich. / Berkley HS) dished out 39 assists and added six digs and two block assists, while Kendall White (DeWitt, Mich. / St. John's HS) posted a team-high 23 digs with a career-high three aces. Marissa Roe (Valparaiso, Ind. / Chesterton HS) led the front line with six total blocks.
Set One (25–20)
After an early 6–3 deficit, SVSU surged ahead with a 7–2 run behind Vanwinkle's serve, and then a 6-0 run with back-to-back aces by White and back-to-back kills by Townsend to go ahead 16-11. Wayne State pulled within two multiple times at the end, but another White ace and then an attack error by the Warriors won the set for SVSU.
Set Two (26–24)
Wayne State led 14-7 before SVSU flipped the momentum. A 7-1 run was highlighted by three straight blocks as Roe, Vanwinkle, and Foster teamed up before a solo by Foster. The Cardinals surged with the energy as they used an 8-2 run to go ahead 22-18. A 3-0 run for WSU brought it within one but Townsend and Ava Decker (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart HS) teamed up for a kill each as the Cardinals went ahead 2-0.
Set Three (16–25)
The Warriors were hot after the break as they started with an 8-0 run. Saginaw Valley tried to right the ship, but Wayne State kept the pressure up. Vanwinkle kept up the offense for the Cardinals, but WSU was too much.
Set Four (17–25)
Wayne State started the fourth set with a 7-2 run and never looked back. Foster and Vanwinkle kept on tallying kills, but a 6-1 run for the Warriors kept SVSU at a distance. The teams traded points as WSU forced the decisive fifth set.
Set Five (3–15)
The Warriors dominated the deciding frame, starting with another 9-0 run and scored 13 of the first 14 points. The Warriors closed out as both teams traded the next four points and Wayne State completed the comeback.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley has two matches remaining as they head to the Upper Peninsula next week. The Cardinals play Michigan Tech on Friday, Nov. 14 at 5:00 PM and Northern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3:00 PM.
