KENOSHA, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's volleyball team opened its season with about as tough of an assignment as it could've faced and fell to No. 1-ranked Carthage College in three sets Thursday night.
The Muskies were defeated 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 by the two-time defending NCAA Division III champions. Lakeland lost its season debut while the Firebirds improved to 1-1 after falling to NCAA Division I Purdue Fort Wayne in their opener last week.
The Muskies were competitive for a good portion of all three sets, and even held a big lead early in the third set. Lakeland took a 7-1 lead out of the gates in the third, with kills by
Jakob Donohue (
Fr.-Shorewood, Wis.),
Ben Busalacchi (
Jr.-Muskego, Wis.) and
Hunter Henson (
Fr.-Menomonee Falls, Wis.) combined with four Carthage errors.
The Firebirds would rally quickly, first scoring four straight points to get within 7-5 and taking their first lead of the set at 12-11. Carthage recorded six team blocks in the third set and slowly pulled away to close it out.
The Muskies also showed positive signs in the first and second sets, both times coming back from early four-point deficits to take the lead. Lakeland led as late as 11-10 in the first set and 14-13 in the second set.
Busalacchi led the Muskies with eight kills and Everts added seven kills plus a team-best three service aces.
Martin Carrillo (
Sr.-Michoacan, Mexico) finished with eight assists and Busalacchi added four digs.
Lakeland hit .014 as a team with 20 kills and 19 errors but also limited Carthage to .190 hitting with 24 kills and 13 errors. The Firebirds were stronger on serve and blocking at the net, though, with a 12-4 advantage in service aces and a 10-4 lead in blocks.
The Muskies are in action again tomorrow when they host a triangular that includes Rockford University plus Bryant & Stratton College. Both the Muskies and Regents will play matches against Bryant & Stratton that are officially exhibitions against the two-year school, including Lakeland facing the Bobcats at 3 p.m. and later taking on Rockford at 7 p.m.
