MILWAUKEE – The MSOE women's volleyball team took the first set, but could not hold on in falling to Lakeland in four sets, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 Tuesday evening at the Kern Center.

The Raiders (4-14, 3-6 NACC) rode the momentum of back-to-back wins last week in taking the early lead, but could not hold off the Muskies (13-12, 6-3 NACC) in the end.

Sophomore Hannah Pekarek posted a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs on the night.

It was a strong back row defensive showing, as MSOE averaged a season-best 18 digs per set and finished with 72. Junior libero Aleah Quast led four players in double-figures with 24, while freshman Katherine Quinton had 11 and junior Abby Born 10 to go with 32 assists on the night.

Brittini Scoles matched Pekarek for match-high scoring honors with 12 kills. Shannon Bishop added nine and Courtney Naser had eight.

The Red & White defense was on display in the opening set, frustrating the Muskies' attack with 21 digs in the frame. The Raiders fell into an early hole at 9-4 after four-straight LU points, but responded with six-straight points to take the lead. They then rattled off seven-straight points to take control of the game. The visitors were held at bay down the stretch, then MSOE closed it out with three-straight points.

Lakeland got on the board winning the second set as the teams traded runs throughout and were tied at 17-17. The visitors slowly pulled away and evened the match with the final three points. The third set was less close, as the Muskies went on an early 7-1 run and added three-straight points shortly thereafter to take control of the frame.

The Raiders showed some fight in the fourth set after LU looked to have put the result out of reach. An extended 14-4 run gave the Muskies a 17-6 advantage before the Red & White rallied. The teams traded points to make it 18-7, then MSOE went on an 8-2 run to pull within five at 20-15. Unfortunately, five points is as close as it would get in dropping the final game.

The Raiders hit .047 in the match against .190 for Lakeland.

Sophomore Elsey Kohlman had four service aces in the match and was tied with senior Sarabeth Haworth for second on the team with six kills.

The Raiders return to the court Friday at Dominican.