SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A spring break trip to California netted a pair of losses for the Lakeland College men's volleyball team against the No. 2 ranked team in NCAA Division III, as the Muskies were defeated twice by UC Santa Cruz.

The Banana Slugs swept Lakeland twice, winning 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 on Tuesday and 25-19, 25-22, 25-17 on Wednesday. UC Santa Cruz is ranked second in the latest AVCA/NCAA Division III Top 15 Coaches Poll and is now 16-3 on the season, including three wins over the Muskies, who are now 11-12 overall.

Alec Redlich (Sr.-Wauwatosa, Wis.) finished with 10 kills in the first match, while Matt Stolz (So.-Wauwatosa, Wis.) added seven kills. Cole Aiazzi (Sr.-Yerington, Nev.) had 17 digs and Jordan Smith (Sr.-Channahon, Ill.) led the team with 28 assists as well as three solo blocks.

Wednesday night's match was similar, with the Muskies coming close to a win in the second set but otherwise slightly off the pace. Stolz led Lakeland with 10 kills, Aiazzi had 12 digs and Smith finished with 30 assists. Kyle Krogstad (Jr.-Chicago, Ill.) also added eight digs.

The Muskies are in action again on Saturday when they play in a triangular hosted by Milwaukee School of Engineering. Lakeland will take on MSOE in a Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League match at noon and then will face Kean (N.J.) University, the third-ranked team in Division III.