The Lakeland College men's volleyball team needed some time to get rolling downhill but weathered a choppy start to eventually defeat Marian University in four sets Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.
The Muskies let the first set get away before wearing down the Sabres for a 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, 25-10 victory in the first-ever match between the schools. Lakeland improved to 11-4 overall and at 4-1 in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League is one match ahead of Marian (4-5 overall, 3-2 NACC).
The Muskies started slow but finished with a flourish, hitting .350 over the final two sets. The Sabres, meanwhile, slowed their pace dramatically after a spirited start, with 21 hitting errors in sets three and four.
Lakeland withstood a spirited start by the visitors, who battled back from a 23-19 deficit to win the first set. Marian also looked ready to fight back from a 19-14 deficit in the second set, getting within 24-23 before
Kyle Krogstad (
Sr.-Chicago, Ill.) ended the set with a kill to even the match.
The Muskies led 9-7 early in the third set before taking off, going on a 10-3 run to take a comfortable 19-10 lead. There was little doubt in the fourth set as Lakeland jumped out to a quick 10-3 lead and later closed the match with seven of the final eight points.
Casey Bolda (
Jr.-Honolulu, Hawaii) led the Muskies with 12 kills and two service aces, while
Tim Robbins (
Jr.-Wheaton, Ill.) added another efficient performance with 10 kills in 15 attempts and his third straight match with at least a .600 hitting percentage.
Matt Stolz (
Jr.-Wauwatosa, Wis.) also added 10 kills and 12 digs.
Addison Mertler (
Fr.-Boca Raton, Fla.) finished with 36 assists, while
Christian Frahm (
Jr.-Palatine, Ill.) set a new career high with 18 digs. Robbins also added five blocks (two solo, three assisted).
Jon Smallpage led Marian with 17 kills while Aaron Wendels added 12 kills and 14 digs but also had 13 attack errors. The Sabres hit .015 for the match with 39 kills and 37 errors in 131 attack attempts.
Lakeland next will face Dominican (Ill.) University on the road Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.
