CHARLESTOWN, W.Va. - The Kirkwood Eagles got off to a good start in the quarterfinals of the national volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon, but they ended up losing a tough five-set match to Lincoln Land.

Kirkwood grabbed the first two games, 25-21, 25-22, but Lincoln Land trimmed the Eagles in the third game 26-24 to get back in the match. Lincoln Land took the last two games, 25-20 and 15-10, for the 3-2 victory.

Kirkwood will face Sauk Valley in a consolation match Friday at 1:30. The Eagles are still in contention for fifth place in the 16-team tournament.

Alex Miner led Kirkwood with 15 kills against Lincoln Land. Erica Armstrong and Morgan Grimm had 11 kills apiece and Margaret Micka had nine kills.

Caiti Peterson collected 53 assists for the Eagles. Grimm had 23 digs and Peterson finished with 22 digs. Armstrong blocked five shots.

Kirkwood began the tournament with a 3-0 victory over McHenry County Thursday morning.

The Eagles are playing without Madsy Richards, one of their top players who was named the Player of the Year in the ICCAC conference this season. Richards is sidelined with a knee injury.

The top four seeds have reached the semifinals of the national tournament Friday, with No. 1 Parkland facing No. 4 Catawba and No. 2 Owens meeting No. 3 Lincoln Land.

Kirkwood was seeded No. 6.

The national tournament ends Saturday.