EAU CLAIRE – Shelby Welsh (Sr.-Ogallala, Neb.) hammered home a career-high 16 kills in the second match and the Lakeland University women's volleyball team dominated in winning its first two matches at the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament Friday hosted by UW-Eau Claire.

The Muskies won twice in sweeps, opening with a 25-9, 25-14, 25-15 win over North Central (Ill.) College. Lakeland followed that up with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-20 win over Concordia College Moorhead (Minn.) to improve to 7-4 this season.

Lakeland was efficient on the attack in both matches. The Muskies hit .338 against North Central with 31 kills and just seven errors, and were even better against Concordia with a .350 hitting percentage including 46 kills and just 10 errors.

Welsh piled up 16 kills in the latter match, hitting .500 with just two errors in 28 attempts. She also added 10 digs against the Cobbers, and in the first match against North Central she also led Lakeland with nine kills and nine digs.

Shannon Bishop (Jr.-River Grove, Ill.) also added 12 kills against Concordia plus seven more against North Central, and Eliana Arbetman (Sr.-Oak Park, Ill.) chipped in six kills in each match.

Neenah Primas (So.-Oostburg, Wis.) finished with 52 assists over the two matches, while Emma Bruder (Sr.-Frankfort, Ill.) added 27 digs, including 18 against Concordia. Erin Iwanski (Jr.-St. Francis, Wis.) also posted five blocks (one solo, four assisted) in the nightcap to lead the defense at the net.

Lakeland will face a pair of tough assignments on the second day of the tourney. The Muskies open Saturday against Augsburg (Minn.) University at 10 a.m., with the Auggies currently receiving votes in the AVCA/NCAA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll. Lakeland then will take on Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) College at 2 p.m., with the Gusties currently ranked ninth in the latest top 25 coaches poll.