NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball team lost its home opener on Wednesday by against Buena Vista in four sets by the scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-22.

The Knights struggled to start, as the Beavers' Jade Schaap opened the game with four consecutive service aces. MLC battled back into the set, but was unable to overcome the deficit on the way to falling behind 1-0 in the match.

MLC roared back in the second set, hitting .200 and getting three kills apiece from Jade St. Germaine and Kira Grev as they evened the match at 1-1.

They were unable to take advantage of that momentum, however, as BVU took control of the match in the third set, and then closed strong in the fourth to complete the win.

The Knights struggled on the receiving end of BVU serves all night, as the Beavers finished with 15 service aces (nine by Schaap).

St. Germaine and Moriah Hackbarth led MLC with ten kills apiece. Emily Byhardt finished with a team-high 18 assists, while Grev led the way with 12 digs. 

MLC fell to 3-7 on the season in defeat. BVU improved its record to 7-3 with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Friday, September 16, when they travel to Minnesota Morris to compete in the non-conference UMAC Preview Tournament. Friday's matches will be against UW-Superior and St. Scholastica, with the first match scheduled to start at 5 p.m.