Carthage College Athletics

(RV) Carthage 3, Lakeland 2 (28-26, 25-22, 23-25, 29-31, 15-12)
PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The Carthage College women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a thrilling five-set victory over Lakeland University on Tuesday evening at the Moose and Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.



Set 1: Carthage used an 8-0 run to turn an 8-8 tie into a 14-8 advantage, with kills from Emma Crow, Kristina Manojlovic, Ava Dettwiler and Hailey Wierzgac highlighting the surge. Lakeland responded with a 7-0 run to erase the deficit and eventually took a 21-20 lead. Carthage answered to force a 24-24 tie before the teams traded points into extra points. A kill from Manojlovic gave the Firebirds a 27-26 lead, and Carthage closed the set, 28-26, on a point from Brianna Gritzman.

Set 2: Lakeland built an early 12-7 lead before Carthage gradually chipped away at the deficit. The Firebirds pulled even at 17-17 and later tied the set again at 21-21. Manojlovic's kill tied the score at 22-22 before consecutive service aces from Dettwiler put Carthage ahead 24-22. Another ace from Dettwiler finished the comeback and gave the Firebirds a 25-22 victory.

Set 3: Carthage jumped ahead 6-3 early, with Manojlovic recording three consecutive kills during the run. The Firebirds maintained the advantage and led 18-15 before Lakeland rallied to take a 19-18 lead. Carthage responded to even the score at 20-20 and again at 22-22, but Lakeland scored three of the final four points to take the set, 25-23.

Set 4: Carthage took an early 3-1 lead and later held a 14-11 advantage. Lakeland answered with a 9-0 run to take a 20-15 lead, but the Firebirds battled back. Carthage eventually tied the set at 24-24 and took a 25-24 lead before Lakeland forced another tie. The teams continued trading points until Lakeland scored the final two points to claim a 31-29 victory and force a fifth set.

Set 5: Carthage responded from the fourth-set loss by taking a 6-4 lead behind kills from Manojlovic and later extended the advantage to 8-6. The Firebirds pushed their lead to 12-8 before Lakeland trimmed the deficit to 12-10. Carthage reached match point at 14-10, and after the Muskies cut the lead to 14-12, Lakeland committed a service error to give the Firebirds a 15-12 victory and the five-set win.



Carthage hit .193 as a team and finished with 70 kills, seven service aces and seven total blocks. The Firebirds limited Lakeland to a .167 hitting percentage while recording 76 digs and 10 block assists.

Manojlovic led all players with a school-record 28 kills, hitting .295 while adding 15 digs, three blocks and 30 points. Dettwiler finished with 51 assists, 16 digs, nine kills, four service aces and three blocks. Crow added 17 kills and 15 digs, while Wierzgac contributed six kills and three block assists.



"Tough battle on the  road to open things up tonight!" said Head Coach Leanne Ulmer. "We found a way to finish in the 5th set to get a hard earned win! Tina Manojlovic really stepped up passing and hitting and had 28 kills. I am guessing that is a career high. Emma Crow had a career night as well on offense with 17 kills and adding 15 digs.  Ava Dettwiler ran the offense and had 51 assists and nine kills and three blocks.  There is a lot to build on and we are looking forward to getting back in the gym to prepare for three tough opponents and our home tournament this weekend!"



The Firebirds (1-0) will make their 2026 home debut on Friday, Sept. 4 as the team takes on Centre as part of a two day tournament in Tarble Arena. The first game of the night will feature Wartburg and Stevens Point at 5 p.m., with Carthage closing out the first night of the tournament at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear black to all home games this weekend. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.