Lakeland College's first-ever varsity men's volleyball match was not a successful one as a strong Cardinal Stritch University team defeated the Muskies in three sets Thursday night in the team's season opener at the Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Wolves won 25-18, 25-23, 25-21, playing like a squad ranked nationally in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Cardinal Stritch came in ranked eighth in the NAIA preseason top 25 coaches' poll.

Lakeland was unable to generate enough offense against a taller Stritch team, hitting .128 with 31 kills and 19 errors in 94 attacks. The Wolves meanwhile took advantage of their size with 45 kills and 18 errors in 95 attempts for a .284 attack percentage.

Stritch controlled the first set and also never trailed after getting an early lead in what was a close third set. The Muskies' best chance came in the second set when they built a five-point lead several times early, but the Wolves came back to take the lead, and then rebounded again late to score the final four points of the set.

Alec Redlich (Jr.-Wauwatosa, Wis.) led Lakeland with 12 kills, three blocks and two service aces, while newcomers Tyler Boyce (Sr.-Beach Park, Ill.) and Tim Robbins (Fr.-Wheaton, Ill.) added six kills each. Dayton Erickson (Jr.-Trevor, Wis.) paced the team with 15 assists and Cole Aiazzi (Jr.-Yerington, Nev.) led with nine digs.

The match was delayed for more than 30 minutes early in the second set after Lakeland freshman Casey Bolda (Honolulu, Hawai'i) went down with a serious ankle injury. An air cast was put on his leg and he was taken by paramedics to the hospital.

Jimmy Torromeo led Stritch with 17 kills and Allen Grunert added 14 kills. Collin Hartman posted 37 assists and Tony Mack led the Wolves with 10 digs.

Thursday started a busy opening weekend for Lakeland, which opens the year with six matches in four days. The Muskies will be in Adrian, Mich., to face Siena Heights (Mich.) University tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Central time.