MORRIS, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball team was unable to get through the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) defense in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17) defeat on Thursday.

The Cougars took control of the match midway through the first game and never looked back on the way to the three-set win.

UMM hit .202 for the match, including a blistering .450 in the second game, but it was their front row defense that led the charge. The Cougars finished the match with 14.0 blocks, including 11.0 blocks in the first two sets. The Cougars' blocks accounted for 14 of the Knights' 26 attack errors in the match.

The Cougars also had a big day with their serve, recording 11 service aces compared to two for the Knights in the match.

Hannah Willems led MLC with five kills in defeat, and also recorded two blocks. Kate Aswege led the team with seven digs.

The Knights fell to 3-4 on the season and 1-4 in UMAC play in defeat. UMM improved to 4-1 overall and 4-1 in league play with the win.

MLC will return to action on Saturday, March 27, when it travels to Northwestern for its final road match of the UMAC season.