NORTH BAY, Ont. -- The Lakehead Thunderwolve came up three points shy in a game that would have provided a big boost to their playoff aspirations.
The Thunderwolves dropped a heartbreaker in five sets (20-25, 25-14, 25-23, 17-25, 15-12) to the Nipissing Lakers on the road at the Robert J. Surtees Student Athletics Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Lakehead (2-11) looked to get off to a strong start, taking the first set for the early lead.
That momentum was quickly snuffed out by Nipissing (5-8), who rebounded by handily taking the next set before coming away with a tight third set after two late Lakehead service errors by Vanessa Masters and Kailin Robinson aided the Lakers.
The Thunderwolves showed resolve in the fourth with their backs against the wall, rebounding to take it and force a deciding fifth set.
In that fifth set Nippissing won four of the first five points to take a lead that would never be relinquished. Lakehead got close, coming within 4-5 before the Lakers rattled off four straight points to put the match out of reach.
The Thunderwolves finished the contest with 54 errors. That included 31 attacking errors, with hitters Jennifer Casey and Kailin Robinson combining for 20 of those as well as 20 service errors.
Setter Vanessa Masters had a game-high 40 assists while Casey contributed 15 kills. Nippissing was led by Tracy Hammerton, who led all hitters with 16 kills.
Lakehead is now 1-2 in five-set contests this season.
The Thunderwolves, who sit 2.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the OUA West with six matches remaining, conclude the weekend on Sunday against the York Lions (7-5).
