SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's volleyball team traveled to Lakeland College for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener where the Muskies came away with the three-set win inside Woltzen Gymnasium, Tuesday evening, Sept. 16.

The Muskies (8-7) jumped out to a hot start at home and staved the Sabres (4-7) off in the first set, 32-30. They built on the momentum to take the second set convincingly, 25-14, and then cruised to a sweep with a 25-20 win in the third set. Lakeland was led by Jenna Ward's 13 kills and Taylor Levitt's 40 assists.

The Sabres were led by Jessica Roberts' 12 kills, which amounted to a solid .265 hitting percentage. She was the lone Sabre in double figures. Amber Baker tallied a double-double with 25 assists and 10 digs.

In the first set, Marian found itself down as many as seven points, but kept battling. The Sabres fought off three set points before tying the score at 24-24 and eventually sending it to extra points. They took their first lead at 27-26 and held three more leads after that, but the Muskies showed some resilience as well, scoring the final three points to take the marathon set, 32-30.

Marian tallied 20 kills in the first set, but managed just eight kills to go along with 11 attacking errors in the final two sets combined.

The Muskies hit .262 for the match, including .250 in the final set, spreading the offense around and hitting the Sabres at several angles.

Lakeland's Allison Errthum registered 10 kills to finish in double figures with Ward. Courtney Naser and Kathy Flanagan added nine kills each.

Katrina Jansen registered 10 digs for the Sabres in her return after missing five matches due to injury. Morgan Dercks added 10 digs as well, while Catelyn Brehm led the team with 13.

Marian will be back in action Thursday, Sept. 18, taking on Maranatha Baptist University in a non-conference match. The battle between the Sabres and Sabrecats is set for 7 p.m. inside Sadoff Gymnasium.