The Lakeland College women's volleyball team got off to a hot start that carried the team through all three sets in a sweep of Marian University to open conference play Thursday night at the Moose & Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies defeated the Sabres 25-11, 25-16, 25-20 in their first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match of the season, knocking off their rivals from Fond du Lac for the 10th consecutive time in the series. Lakeland improved to 4-8 overall with an efficient, quick and commanding performance.

The Muskies trailed just once in the entire match, surrendering the first point in the third set. Lakeland took care of business in just over an hour with contributions from a number of players offensively and outstanding defense at the net.

Allison Errthum (So.-Joliet, Ill.) had nine kills, Kathy Flanagan (Jr.-Midlothian, Ill.) totaled eight kills, LeShay Jones (Sr.-Pontiac, Mich.) added seven and Brittini Scoles (So.-Kewaskum, Wis.) pitched in six kills. Lakeland hit .222 for the match with 35 kills and just 13 errors in 99 attempts.

The Muskies also put up a wall at the net with 10 team blocks. Flanagan had six blocks (one solo, five assisted), Scoles added four block assists, and the block helped contribute to Marian's -.072 attack percentage with 23 kills and 31 errors.

Taylor Levitt (Jr.-Schaumburg, Ill.) tallied 30 assists while Caleigh Galvan (Sr.-New Lenox, Ill.) led with 14 digs. Galvan is now 27 digs from tying the school mark in that category, currently held by Brittanie Paulus (2006-09) with 1,882 digs.

Jessica Roberts had nine kills to lead Marian, which dropped to 1-11 overall and 0-2 in the NACC. Katrina Jansen had 16 digs and Amber Baker added 18 assists and 14 digs.

Lakeland will next travel to Chicago on Saturday to face Illinois Institute of Techonology in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. The event was originally scheduled as a triangular but instead has been changed to a twinbill between the two teams with matches at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.