Nationally ranked Benedictine University got off to a strong start and the Lakeland University men's volleyball team was defeated in three sets Friday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Eagles prevailed 25-15, 25-17, 25-23 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match to remain undefeated overall and in conference play. Benedictine-ranked sixth in the latest NCAA Division III top 15 coaches poll-improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the NACC, while Lakeland dropped to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in conference.

The Muskies were on their heels early against the hard-hitting Eagles but would not go down easily, stubbornly hanging around as the match went on. Lakeland never led in the first two sets, but would hold a lead late in the third set and was one point away from pushing the third set past 25 points.

The Eagles held a 9-6 lead in the third before the Muskies outscored the guests 8-2 to take a 14-11 lead. Ben Busalacchi (Fr.-Muskego, Wis.) and Tim Matijevic (Fr.-Palatine, Ill.) posted kills and Alex Burgos (So.-Salem, Wis.) added a service ace, and Lakeland also took advantage of a string of errors by Benedictine to take its biggest lead of the match.

Lakeland continued to hold a slim all the way up to 19-18 after a kill by Cameron Ekum (Sr.-Wales, Wis.), but the Eagles made their move scoring six of the next eight points. Chase Olson's service aces gave Benedictine match point at 24-21, but a pair of errors brought the Muskies to the brink of extending the set until the match ended on a Lakeland service error.

Benedictine recorded some thundering kills early but finished the match hitting .242 with 28 kills and 13 sets. Lakeland in particular put up its best block at the net of the season and held Benedictine to a .160 hitting percentage or less in two of the three sets.

Busalacchi posted a match-high eight kills to lead the Muskies and also added two service aces. Matt Misheck (Jr.-Oak Forest, Ill.) also added seven kills and Ekum posted five kills, 11 assists and five digs. Martin Carrillo (So.-Mundelein, Ill.) also added eight assists and both Matijevic and Nick Equihua (So.-Santa Maria, Calif.) were part of two blocks each.

Lakeland finished with 23 kills and 17 errors in 67 attacks (.090 hitting percentage). The Muskies also committed 20 service errors.

Olson and Jacob Grygo both finished with seven kills each for Benedictine. Mike LeGros also posted 22 assists plus a match-high nine digs.

The Muskies are back in action Tuesday when they travel to face Rockford University at 7 p.m. in Rockford, Ill.