MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Alverno College volleyball team closed out its 2025 home schedule on Thursday evening inside Reiman Gymnasium, falling 3–0 (25–6, 25–15, 25–5) to Lakeland University in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) action.

Freshman Mary Needham (San Tan Valley, Ariz./Poston Butte) led Alverno with six kills, also adding two digs, while senior Sharisty Kooch (Terrebonne, Ore./Redmond) guided the Inferno offense with 11 assists, also totaling four digs. Senior Breann Flannery (Argyle, Wis./Argyle) and Holly King (Richland Center, Wis./Ithaca) anchored the back row with four and six digs each. Sophomore Elyse Kozikowski (Watertown, Wis./Dodgeland) added a pair of service aces as well for the Inferno.

Lakeland came out strong and maintained control throughout the match, hitting an impressive .513 as a team while limiting the Inferno to a -.025 attack percentage. The Muskies also finished with four total blocks and 13 service aces, using a balanced offensive attack to carry momentum across all three sets. They also assisted on 42 of their 43 kills, working within their system on much of their offensive sets.

The Inferno fall to 3-22 (0-12 NACC) while Lakeland improves to 15–13 (9-3 NACC). Alverno will wrap up its season on Saturday, Nov. 8, when they travel to Concordia Wisconsin for a noon first serve.

Lakeland took command early in the opening set, hitting .467 and using a 9–1 start to pull away for a 25–6 win. The Inferno responded with their strongest play in the second set, finding rhythm offensively behind Needham and King while stringing together several small runs to stay within reach. Kozikowski's back-to-back service aces and a kill from Leilani Curtis helped keep the Inferno close late before the Muskies pulled away for a 25–15 decision. In the third, Lakeland's momentum continued, as they hit .625 in the frame to secure the sweep with a 25–5 victory.

Samya Huges led all players with 12 kills while Maleigha Kovalaske added 11 kills of her own and three service aces, registering a double-double with 10 digs. Sydney Gay was outstanding as the conductor of the Muskie offense, picking up 39 assists and also tallying five digs. More Than a Game, 25 Years of Strength and Spirit: Alverno College is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Alverno Athletics. Since 2000, our student-athletes have embodied the spirit of competition, teamwork, and excellence both on and off the courts and fields. Join us in honoring a quarter-century of Inferno pride on the following dates as we celebrate 25 years of strength and spirit -

• Softball vs. Maranatha on March 31^st at 3 p.m.
• Softball vs. Concordia Wisconsin on April 25 at noon