AURORA, Ill. – Tim Matijevic (Fr.-Palatine, Ill.) recorded a season-best nine kills for the Lakeland University men's volleyball team as it battled but came up short in a three-set loss at Aurora University Tuesday night.

The Spartans earned the 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 win in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match, holding off the Muskies after three competitive sets that included plenty of ties and lead changes. Aurora improved to 7-6 overall and 6-3 in the NACC, while Lakeland dropped to 2-7 overall and 2-6 in conference.

Lakeland was firmly in contention in all three sets, as the teams combined for 23 ties and 11 lead changes in the match, with at least six ties and three lead changes in all three sets. Aurora's more effective attack ended up carrying the night, as the Spartans hit .267 as a team (38 kills, 14 errors) to the Muskies' .182 hitting percentage (27 kills, 13 errors).

Lakeland especially was in good position late in the second and third sets, including leading 16-15 in the second before a three-point mini run by the Spartans. The Muskies also were tied at 17-17 in the third set, but Aurora
scored the next three points and finished the match on an 8-3 run.

Matijevic had his best match yet as a freshman, hitting .562 with his nine kills coming without an error in 16 attacks. He also added a season- and match-high 11 digs plus three assists.

Matt Misheck (Jr.-Oak Forest, Ill.) also contributed seven kills and Ben Busalacchi (Fr.-Muskego, Wis.) totaled five kills plus three service aces. Cameron Ekum (Sr.-Wales, Wis.) finished with 20 assists and Maui Viola (Sr.-Gurnee, Ill.) finished with six digs.

Thomas Kovanic led Aurora with nine kills and Emmanuel Chaidez and Carson Wiese added eight kills each. Isaiah Mitchell also finished with 31 assists and Chaidez added three blocks (one solo, two assisted).

Lakeland is back on the court Thursday when it hosts UC Santa Cruz for a matinee match at noon at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.