PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Marian University men’s volleyball (6-10, 0-5 NACC) dropped two sets by two points and another by three sets in a tight four-set match at Lakeland.
Lakeland jumped out to a fast 7-1lead only to have the Sabres rally and bring the set back to a two-point match at 9-7. The Muskies were able to expand their lead out to as many as six points before Marian once again responded bringing their deficit down to one point at 18-17. The Sabres would trail by just one on several occasions only to have Lakeland close the set with a 4-2 spurt.
The second set was tight as well but this time it was Marian that was able to get out to a big lead opening with a 7-3 advantage. After Lakeland tied the set at 8-8 neither team would manage a lead larger than two points. The Sabres would have a set-point opportunity after leading 24-23 but Lakeland rallied to score three straight points and take the set 26-24.
The Marian offense came to play in the third set hitting .381 with 11 kills to only three errors. The Sabres jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead but held this advantage for the entire set eventually taking it 25-20. After a back-and-forth start to the fourth set, Marian took the first big lead going ahead 14-9. Lakeland immediately responded scoring eight unanswered to take a 17-14 lead. Marian rallied to tie the game and held off a set-point opportunity for Lakeland at 24-23. Marian then had a chance to force a fifth set but were unable to convert a set opportunity. The Muskies then put the match away with another pair of points.
Senior Jacob DeGroot paced the offense with 13 kills, while sophomore Liam Skinner added 11 kills to go with five assisted blocks. Senior Isaiahs Mena had a team-best 15 digs and sophomore Zach Zelenik had a double-double with 32 assists and 13 digs.
Marian travels to Greenville to open the weekend fro a 7 p.m. non-conference match.
–FightBlueFight—
