Warriors Suffer NACC-Opening Loss To Sabres

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Returning to the court for the first time in 10 days for its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener, Wisconsin Lutheran College suffered a 3-0 loss to Marian on Tuesday at Sadoff Gymnasium. 

The Warriors (4-10, 0-1 NACC) were defeated in three sets by the Sabres (9-4, 2-0 NACC) by scores of 25-14, 25-16, 25-20. WLC never held the lead in the first set, as MU used a 7-1 run to pull away. In the second set, Wisconsin Lutheran clung to a 13-12 advantage, before Marian mounted a 13-3 run to take the set. The Warriors held a 15-14 third-set lead before the Sabres went on a 7-1 run to take control.

WLC finished the match with 11 kills, 18 errors, and 76 attempts for a .092 hitting percentage. Freshman Marcus Fitzsimmons (Muskego, Wis.) posted seven kills to lead the team. Sophomore James Biedenbender (La Crosse, Wis.) dished out 11 assists. Freshman Connor Haeuser (West Bend, Wis.) tallied a team-high six digs.

Derek Wills led MU with 13 kills and Isaac Dreifuerst added 12. Marian hit .261 with 42 kills, 18 errors, and 92 attempts.

Wisconsin Lutheran returns home on Saturday after six straight road matches for a 12 p.m. NACC contest against Benedictine (6-6, 1-0 NACC). Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.