SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Lakeland University men's volleyball team again went to four sets but was again unsuccessful in the end, falling to host Wittenberg (Ohio) University in four sets in the Muskies' first of two matches Saturday at the Jim Coleman Classic.

The Muskies were defeated 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16 by the Tigers in their first match of the day Saturday. Lakeland was later swept by Cincinnati Christian University 25-14, 25-19, 25-12, and finished 0-4 in its season-opening tourney.

The Muskies dropped the first two sets to Wittenberg (1-3 overall) but rallied to win the third set, with Desmond Williams (Jr.-Riverside, Calif.) closing out the set with a kill. Lakeland fell behind early in the fourth set, though, and never was able to catch up.

Lakeland faced a tough task in its second match against Cincinnati Christian, an NAIA member. The Muskies' closest set was the second, when they held a 12-8 lead near the midpoint and were still ahead at 18-16 after a kill by Cameron Ekum (Fr.-Wales, Wis.), but the Eagles scored nine of the final 10 points of the set.

Dakota Hunter (Jr.-Waukesha, Wis.) posted 12 kills against Wittenberg and finished the day with 17 kills total and 46 for the tourney. Williams added 14 kills and four blocks over the two matches and also was named to the eight-player all-tournament team. Addison Mertler (Jr.-Boca Raton, Fla.) finished with 44 assists and J.T. Levitt (Jr.-Schaumburg, Ill.) added 21 digs.

Lakeland now prepares for its home opener next Saturday when it welcomes Maranatha Baptist University for an 11 a.m. first serve at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.