KENOSHA, Wis. – The Lakeland University men's volleyball team opened its campaign with a tough task and was defeated by nationally ranked Carthage College in three sets Friday evening at Carthage's Tarble Arena.

The Muskies' season debut was a brief one, as the Firebirds swept their way to a 25-21, 25-9, 25-15 victory. Carthage came in ranked No. 8 in the AVCA/NCAA Division III Top 20 Preseason Poll and was dominant especially in the second and third sets.

Lakeland stayed with the Firebirds for most of the first set, leading on several occasions early and hanging within three as late as 24-21 before Carthage closed it out. After that it was the hosts in charge, leading from start-to-finish in the second and third sets.

The Firebirds hit at a red-hot .462 rate with 38 kills and eight errors in 65 attack attempts. Owen Hendricks and Ben Heise totaled 10 kills each in a combined 25 swings, and Owen Otto added eight kills plus four of Carthage's eight service aces.

The Muskies hit at a negative rate with 19 kills and 21 errors for a -.030 attack percentage. Lakeland posted a respectable .154 mark in the first set with nine kills to five errors, but followed with just 10 kills over the final two sets.

Ben Busalacchi (Sr.-Muskego, Wis.) led the Muskies with six kills and added three digs and two blocks (one solo, one assisted). Chase Anderson (Jr.-Hartford, Wis.) finished with 13 assists and Eli Weinrich (Jr.-Mequon, Wis.) led the defense with five digs.

Lakeland returns to play next Saturday, Jan. 18, for a triangular hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University. The Muskies will open with the University of Olivet (Mich.) at 1:30 p.m. before facing the host school at 4 p.m.