PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Lakeland University again competed against one of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference's top teams before coming up short in a three-set loss to Aurora University in a women's volleyball match Saturday afternoon at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.
The Spartans prevailed 25-16, 26-24, 25-20 to send the Muskies to their third loss in conference play. Lakeland is now 6-13 overall and 0-3 in the NACC after losing to three teams perennially near the top of the league standings.
Aurora (12-6 overall, 3-0 NACC) was more efficient on the attack, hitting .177 with 36 kills and 13 errors to Lakeland's .102 mark with 35 kills and 23 errors. The Spartans also posted advantages in service aces (6 to 2) and blocks (8 to 4) in the win.
The Muskies trailed most of the first set but had an opportunity to even the match in the second. Lakeland came back from 17-11 down late in the set to take the lead, getting to the doorstep of winning the set at 23-21. The Muskies even held a set point at 24-23, but the Spartans scored three straight points to steal it, with Katelyn Ruse finishing with a kill on the guests' set point.
The third set was back and forth trading points most of the way with 12 ties and four lead changes, but Aurora gained control with a five-point run to take a 20-16 lead. The Muskies drew as close as 22-20 after a kill by
Faith Baker (
So.-Verona, Ill.), but the Spartans finished the match with the final three points, including a block by Peyton Darguzis and Trinity Nelson on match point.
Samya Hughes (
Fr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) led Lakeland with 13 kills and
Maleigha Kovalaske (
So.-Ripon, Wis.) added eight kills. Kovalaske also totaled 15 digs and
Ryan Figi (
Jr.-Hartland, Wis.) added 13 digs.
Sydney Gay (
So.-Rice Lake, Wis.) added 25 assists and
Kenzie Jackson (
Fr.-Mansfield, Texas) tallied three blocks (one solo, two assisted).
Ruse led Aurora with 12 kills and Izabella Kowalczyk added eight kills. Katie Brisk also finished with 15 digs.
Lakeland is home again for its next match this coming Thursday when it hosts Marian University at 7 p.m.
