The Muskies last season posted a rare win over an opponent that has frustrated them often in recent years, defeating the Stars 25-14, 25-17, 26-24 in the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium Oct. 1, 2022. That snapped a string of five straight Dominican wins in the series, including most recently a three-set victory at home in River Forest, Ill., Oct. 2, 2021. The Stars have still won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the teams, and before last year the Muskies' most recent win in the series had come in 2016, a five-set victory that snapped a seven-match losing streak to the Stars. In the series' early years, Lakeland won eight of the first nine meetings, including the first ever Oct. 19, 2002.

Lakeland last time out: Defeated Ripon 3-0; Lost to North Central (Ill.) 3-0 Saturday
The Muskies played twice at the UW-Stevens Point Pointer Invitational on Saturday and split two matches, defeating Ripon 26-24, 25-17, 25-17 before falling to North Central in three close sets, 27-25, 25-23, 27-25. Briuna Harper was named to the all-tournament team after totaling 12 kills with a .667 hitting percentage plus six blocks and three service aces over the two matches. Susana Stevens added 17 kills on the day, Maeve Sullivan piled up 26 digs and Brelynn Scoles finished with 13 kills, 20 digs and five service aces.

The Muskies have continued their trend from last year of being close in nearly every loss. Five of their nine losses have come in four or five sets, and of their four straight-set losses, three of them have had sets decided by just two points, including three sets going past the 25-point limit.

Dominican last time out: Lost to Elmhurst (Ill.) 3-0 Tuesday
The Stars were routed by the Bluejays of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin, losing 25-10, 25-12, 25-8 at home. Elmhurst hit .527 for the match with 41 kills and just two errors, the fourth-best hitting percentage in a match in NCAA Division III this season. Dominican was almost as cold as the Bluejays were hot, hitting -.052 with 15 kills and 19 errors. Cassidy Spies finished wtih five kills and Olivia Mendell nine assists to lead the Stars.

Dominican this season is 6-7 overall and 1-1 in conference, and like Lakeland lost to Benedictine in four sets. The Stars have also defeated St. Norbert in five sets. though, and have won at least one set in five of their seven losses.