Good work most of the way in all three sets wasn't enough for the Lakeland University women's volleyball team in its season opener, as Carthage College made the plays late to sweep the Muskies Thursday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Firebirds prevailed 25-20, 25-18, 25-22 to defeat the Muskies in both teams' season debuts for the second straight year. Carthage also won its tenth straight in the series, keeping Lakeland still search for its first win over its Kenosha foe since 2003.

The match was even closer than the final set scores indicate, with 25 ties and 11 lead changes, and the Muskies were in position late to win all three sets against a team receiving votes in the AVCA NCAA Division III top 25 preseason poll. Lakeland trailed 20-19 late in the first set, was tied 18-18 in the second before Carthage scored seven straight points to take the set, and in a final addition of insult to injury led 21-19 late in the third set before the Firebirds scored six of the match's final seven points.

The Muskies received 14 kills from Hailey DeGrave (Jr.-Sturgeon Bay, Wis.), a full 40 percent of their attack production. Lakeland finished with 35 kills and 26 errors for a .076 attack percentage, below Carthage's .147 rate with 30 kills and 15 errors.

Maeve Sullivan (Jr.-Chicago, Ill.) also made her debut at the libero spot and finished with a career-high 19 digs. The Firebirds were formidable at the net, though, with ten team blocks, including two in the 7-0 run to finish the second set and another in their rally at the close of the third set.

Kelly Swope (Jr.-Heyworth, Ill.) also added eight kills and nine digs and Katie Metzler (Jr.-Kewaunee, Wis.) finished with seven kills and three blocks (one solo, two assisted). Emily Duchow (Sr.-Potter, Wis.) also set a career high with 31 assists and added nine digs.

Molly Skoda led a trio of Carthage players finishing with seven kills and also added 14 digs. Aubree Bucheger also finished with 14 digs and Liv Carel notched five blocks (one solo, four assisted) with Leena Ajibola and Katie Boston both adding four block assists each.

The Muskies waste no time getting back on the court as they will travel to the Forester Invitational hosted by Lake Forest College Friday and Saturday. Lakeland plays three matches over two days, starting with a match against Carroll University at 6 p.m. Friday night.