EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –
Faith Baker (
So.-Verona, Ill.) received all-tournament honors and the Lakeland University women's volleyball team finished with a win at the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire this weekend.
The Muskies lost twice to nationally ranked teams from Wisconsin, including a three-set loss to second-ranked UW-Whitewater on Friday and a 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 loss to host UW-Eau Claire Saturday. Lakeland wrapped up play later in the day by sweeping Carleton (Minn.) College 25-21, 25-12, 25-18 and is now 5-7 on the season.
Baker was named to the all-tourney team after hitting .391 four the tourney and adding three service aces and four blocks. She finished with four kills, three aces and three blocks in Saturday's win over Carleton (2-7 overall), where the Muskies trailed only briefly in the match in the first and second sets.
Samya Hughes (
Fr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) also added 15 kills against the Knights and
Rylee Esquibel (
So.-Devine, Texas) added nine kills.
Ryan Figi (
Jr.-Hartland, Wis.) also posted 17 digs and
Sydney Gay (
So.-Rice Lake, Wis.) netted 25 assists.
Lakeland also showed well early against UW-Eau Claire, ranked 18th in the latest AVCA/NCAA Division III top 25 coaches poll. The Muskies led most of the first set and were ahead 17-12 late before the Blugolds roared back to take the lead. Lakeland still was tied at 23-23 after a kill by Baker, but UWEC closed out the set with the final two points.
The Muskies also cut a six-point deficit down to three points late in the third set before Eau Claire finished off the win. Esquibel posted nine kills and added 10 digs, Hughes and
Kenzie Jackson (
Fr.-Mansfield, Texas) both finished with six kills each and Hughes and Figi also notched 12 digs each.
Lakeland plays in one more tournament before Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play next weekend when it goes to the UW-Stevens Point Pointer Invitational next Saturday. The Muskies will take on Bethel (Minn.) University at 11 a.m. and then UW-River Falls at 1 p.m.