Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Marian volleyball team left Fort Wayne with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-19) win over St. Francis to complete the series sweep of the Cougars, improving the Knights to 20-3 overall and 12-3 in Crossroads League play.
St. Francis came out in set one taking the early 5-1 lead over the Knights before Jai-Lyn Norwood pounded a kill to end the Cougar run. The hosts answered back with a kill, but a kill by Skyler Van Note propelled a 6-1 run to even things up at 7-7. The remainder of the set saw the two teams trade points that eventually saw the score tied at 20-20 before the duo of Madison Brooks and Grace Hunter each got a kill, while Ainsley Neighbors severed up an ace to give the Knights the 23-20 advantage. The Cougars responded with three more points in the set, before Marian would hold on and take the set 25-23 behind a Van Note kill.
Marian put together a dominant performance in set two, gaining the early 9-3 lead powered by two Jaymison Summers kills along with a Van Note and Norwood kill. The Cougars bounced back with three straight points until Van Note came back with a kill of her own to ignite a Brooks block. St. Francis managed to put together eight more points in the set while the Knights continued their offensive tear that was fueled by three Hunter kills to close out the set 25-14.
Cougars did not back away as they jumped out to a 5-1 lead before the Knights got back in rhythm with five consecutive points, consisting of four kills from Van Note, Summers, and Brooks. Both teams battled it out with the score going point for point to tie things up 17-17. With the score even, Marian answered first behind an Averi Lanman and Norwood kill to take the 19-17 lead. The Knights held off the Cougars with Van Note closing out the set with a kill on the assist from Gianna Feld to win the set 25-19.
Marian put together 44 kills in the win with Van Note paving the way with 15 kills and two digs. Hunter added seven kills on a .636 hitting percentage, while Norwood followed with six kills. Lanman, Summers, and Brooks all posted five kills, while Summers connected on five of six attacks (.866). Three different Knights found themselves in double-digits for digs with Katie Hardegree leading with 11 digs and 18 assists, as Emma Lyons and Feld pick up 10 digs each. Neighbors also added to the assist category, dishing out 17.
The Knights will return to action Wednesday, October 26, as they host Bethel at 7 PM.
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