The Lake Forest College volleyball team was defeated 25-18, 25-14, 25-16 by Carthage College at home Friday night in the opening match of the 2024 Forester Invitational.

Senior Juli Barrientos led the home team with 11 digs while junior setter Lilly Robinson matched that total in assists. Junior Ireland Van Stone and senior Riley Stapley paced the squad in kills with seven and six, respectively. Stapley posted a .625 hitting percentage on the evening and added a pair of blocks to her stat line.

A kill by Stapley started the match's scoring but the Firebirds won the next four points and led by at least two for the rest of the opening set. A 5-0 run for the visitors gave them a 19-12 advantage and they maintained a comfortable lead until switching sides of the court. Carthage rattled off at least four consecutive points three times and never trailed in the second set  Set three was similar with the Firebirds pulling away early and the Foresters unable to mount a comeback.

Lake Forest is now 1-3 and Carthage 4-1 on the season.

The Foresters will close out the invitational against Augustana College Saturday afternoon at 1:00. Augustana will also take on Benedictine University at 9:00 a.m. and Carthage will face Benedictine at 11:00.