The Lakeland University women's volleyball team served 15 aces and pulled out close sets at the end twice to defeat stubborn Concordia University Chicago in three sets Friday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies bested the Cougars 25-16, 28-26, 25-20 to snap a brief three-match losing streak and get back over .500 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Lakeland improved to 11-12 overall and 4-3 in the NACC, staying solidly in the top six in the conference and gaining separation over a team that was close on its heels.

Allison Errthum (Jr.-Joliet, Ill.) served out six aces and Emma Bruder (So.-Frankfort, Ill.), Brianna Johnson (So.-Altoona, Wis.) and Madison Schweitzer (Thornton, Ill.) added three each as the Muskies found an advantage on the serve early. Lakeland finished with seven aces in the first set and tied its season match high for aces, a mark originally set at home on Sept. 28 against Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The Muskies started strong, winning the first set comfortably, and then fought from well behind in the second set. Concordia (3-19 overall, 2-5 NACC) held a 17-8 lead at one point, but Kalie Novak (So.-Manitowoc, Wis.) provided a spark off the bench with three kills plus a block as Lakeland rallied to an 18-18 tie. The Muskies eventually earned a set point at 24-23, but the Cougars rallied back for a 26-25 lead until Kathy Flanagan (Sr.-Midlothian, Ill.) notched a kill to tie it and Errthum served two aces to win the set.

The third set was also close with 10 ties and six lead changes as Lakeland struggled to shake the visitors. Courtney Naser (Jr.-Altoona, Wis.) tipped in two kills late in the set, though, Brittini Scoles (Jr.-Kewaskum, Wis.) added another and Schweitzer finished it off with an ace to close out the match.

Naser led the attack with 10 kills and just two errors in 18 attempts while Flanagan added nine kills. Errthum moved to the libero spot and led with 17 digs and Schweitzer passed out 28 assists.

The Muskies celebrated Senior Night before the match, honoring Flanagan and Taylor Levitt (Sr.-Schaumburg, Ill.) before the match. Levitt also finished with eight digs and two assists.

Jaylynn Johnson, Arendia Ruiter and Austin Thompson all finished with seven kills each to lead the Cougars. Hannah Johnson posted 12 digs, Nicoletta Crowley finished with 20 assists and eight digs and Sarah Smith had five block assists as Concordia totaled eight team blocks.

The Muskies are right back in action Saturday morning when they face Rockford (Ill.) University at 11 a.m. at the Woltzen Gymnasium.