It wasn't the way the Nipissing Lakers women's volleyball team wanted to end the first half of the season.

The Lakers dropped Saturday's final game of the first semester 3-0 to the defending national champion Ryerson Rams.

Through the first seven games of the season, the Lakers sit at 3-4 and currently in fifth spot in the East Division – one spot out of the playoffs.

While it was another strong effort, it was tough-sledding when it came to points and putting together any streaks or long runs to take control.

In the first, the Lakers found themselves down 16-8.

There was no quit in the Lakers, as they fought back and trailed 23-18, but Ryerson put the game away, winning 25-18.

In the second, it was a slow start for Nipissing, falling behind 11-14.

Once again they trailed Ryerson 16-8 at the technical timeout, but this time were unable to rally, falling 25-13 in the middle set.

In what turned out to be the final game of the match, Nipissing was down 16-10 at the break and in almost identical fashion, fell 25-18 in the end.

Shayla Kessler led the way with 10 kills and 11 points, Shannon Lebreux had three kills and seven points and Averi Bodnar had three kills.

Nipissing now sits at 3-4 after the first semester of play and won't return to action until the third weekend of January, where they'll be on the road facing York and Ryerson.