Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 UC Santa Cruz Slug Slam tournament website

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Lakeland University men's volleyball team faced a pair of strong opponents far from home as it began its 2020 season Friday at the UC Santa Cruz Slug Slam invitational.

The Muskies lost twice on the first of two days in Santa Cruz. Lakeland fell in three sets to Wells (N.Y.) College 25-10, 27-25, 25-15 and then was defeated by Cal Lutheran University 25-15, 25-15, 25-13.

Lakeland's first trip to Santa Cruz since 2015 included an opening match against a Wells team ranked 11th in the AVCA/NCAA Division III Top 15 Coaches Poll to begin the season. Wells also traveled across the country to play in California, arriving from upstate New York.

The Muskies struggled in the first and third sets but led for a good portion of a back-and-forth second set, including holding a set point at 25-24 before the Express closed the set out with three straight points.

Nate Vanderwaal (Sr.-Rockford, Ill.) finished with 10 kills in the match and Matt Misheck (Jr.-Oak Forest, Ill.) added seven kills, but Lakeland hit just .038 with 22 kills and 19 errors. Maui Viola (Jr.-Gurnee, Ill.) also added eight digs and Cameron Ekum (Jr.-Wales, Wis.) finished with 19 assists.

The Muskies were also defeated in three quick sets by Cal Lutheran, the first team receiving votes just outside the top 15 in the AVCA national poll. Lakeland hit -.085 with 20 kills and 26 errors while the Kingsmen hit a robust .472 with 30 kills and just five errors.

Vanderwaal totaled 12 kills, Ben Miller (Jr.-Middleton, Wis.) added four kills and Ekum posted 17 assists. Jesse Peters (Fr.-Lake Mary, Fla.) also served two aces and added a pair of block assists.

Lakeland continues play in Santa Cruz Saturday, first facing Marymount (Va.) University at 5 p.m. Central time before taking on host and eighth-ranked UC Santa Cruz at 7:30 p.m.