It wasn't easy, but the Nipissing Lakers women's volleyball team did manage to earn a split on the road this past weekend.

After dropping Saturday's match 3-0 to the Waterloo Warriors, the Lakers were forced to bounce back and grind out a five set marathon against the Guelph Gryphons, in which they won the final two sets to claim their sixth win of the season.

With their split, the Lakers sit in third place in the East Division, setting up a big match this weekend against York.

On Saturday, the Lakers were unable to muster a consistent offence and the Warriors took advantage, winning in straight sets – 25-22, 25-16 and 25-21.

The loss was the Lakers third in a row, after winning three straight prior to their mini-slide.

Tracy Hammerton led the Lakers offence with eight kills and nine points and Erika Lapierre had six and three blocks, while Shayla Kessler, Victoria Willars and Annabelle Harvey all chipped in with three kills each.

On Sunday, what seemed to be the tough matchup, the Lakers put in an impressive effort.

The Lakers showed some real grit and determination in earning a five set victory. Nipissing trailed 2-1, but rallied to win the fourth and fifth sets to earn the victory.

After opening the match with a 25-21 win, the Lakers fell in sets two and three, losing 25-17 and 25-23.

From there, Nipissing earned wins of 25-15 to extend the match and 15-12 to pick up the win.

Erika Lapierre has 14 kills, Tracy Hammeron had 12 and Shayla Kessler added eight in the win. Vanessa Arbour also had seven and 12 points.

The win now sets up a big match with York, who dropped both matches on the weekend.

The two teams enter with identical 6-6 record, good for 12 points and a third place tie in the tough East Division.

Sitting just two points back is Queens, who has 10 points, but has played one more game than both Nipissing and York.

With just seven matches left on the schedule, every time the Lakers hit the court, it's going to be an important showdown.