Plymouth, Wis. — Illinois Tech Women's Volleyball fell to Lakeland University in a four-set match at the Moose and Dona Woltzen Gymnasium on Thursday evening, with scores of 18-25, 25-16, 26-28, and 22-25. Illinois Tech holds an overall record of 9-13 and is 4-5 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play. Lakeland has an overall record of 11-13 with a 5-3 record in the NACC.

In the opening set the Muskies took an early lead at 3-2 after consecutive attack errors by the Scarlet Hawks. Lakeland extended their lead to 8-3 following further errors from Illinois Tech's side. A brief comeback by Illinois Tech tied the score at 9-9, with Sydney Wilson contributing a kill. However, Lakeland regained momentum, capitalizing on Illinois Tech's attack errors, and extended their advantage. Despite a late service ace by Karla Trautmann Mendez, the Muskies closed the set with a 25-18 win, highlighted by Faith Baker's final kill, assisted by Sydney Gay.

Illinois Tech maintained a strong lead throughout the second set against Lakeland, resulting in a 25-16 victory. Trautmann Mendez led the charge with multiple successful kills, often assisted by Rowan Midgette, establishing early momentum for the visitors. A pivotal moment occurred when a service ace by Victoria Aspurez pushed the score to 5-3, followed by a series of attack errors from the Muskies that widened the gap. Ana Jones scored the final point of the set with a kill from Midgette, securing the set for Illinois Tech.

Illinois Tech and Lakeland engaged in a closely contested third set, with the teams exchanging leads multiple times. Aspurez and Trautmann Mendez were key contributors for Illinois Tech, each securing crucial points including a kill by Aspurez to level the score at 24-24. Despite Illinois Tech's efforts, Lakeland's Caitlyn Pernsteiner and Maleigha Kovalaske delivered important kills, with Kovalaske's final spike sealing the set for the Muskies at 28-26. The set featured a series of service errors and attack errors from both teams, underscoring the tense and competitive nature of the match.

The Muskies opened the fourth set with a strong start, taking a 4-0 lead due to two attack errors from the Scarlet Hawks and a service ace. Pernsteiner and Kenzie Jackson contributed with kills to extend the lead to 7-2. Illinois Tech responded with kills from Brooke Rifkin and Aspurez, narrowing the gap to 8-4. Despite Illinois Tech's efforts, Lakeland maintained their advantage, going up 16-9 with a service ace and a series of attack errors by the visitors.

A brief rally by Illinois Tech brought the score to 22-20, highlighted by a kill from London Francis and a service ace by Trautmann Mendez. However, Lakeland's Samya Hughes and Pernsteiner delivered crucial kills, leading to a 25-22 victory for the home team. The set concluded with Lakeland securing the win on Pernsteiner's kill, assisted by Gay.

Illinois Tech Top Performers  

Francis, London  
----------------------  
- 8 kills with a .105 hitting percentage  
- 7 total blocks  
- 12 points  

Trautmann Mendez, Karla  
----------------------  
- 14 kills  
- 3 service aces  
- 18.5 points  

Midgette, Rowan  
----------------------  
- 5 kills with a .500 hitting percentage  
- 34 assists  
- 3 total blocks  

Lakeland Top Performers

Caitlyn Pernsteiner  
----------------------
- 10 kills
- 0.412 hitting percentage
- 6 digs
- 13.0 points

Ryan Figi  
----------------------
- 5 service aces
- 11 digs
- 5.0 points

Sydney Gay  
----------------------
- 33 assists
- 7 digs

Samya Hughes  
----------------------
- 14 kills
- 8 digs
- 15.0 points

Game Notes:
- The Scarlet Hawks dropped to 2-8 lifetime versus the Muskies.

Up Next
Illinois Tech will face Alverno College at the Keating Sports Center in Chicago, IL. The match is set for October 25 at noon.