INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian volleyball team found their way back into the win column as they began postseason play, sweeping Huntington University in straight sets on Saturday night. Marian's win in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals improves the Knights to 22-5 on the year.
The Knights got off to a slow start in the opening set of the night, as Huntington did what they did in their previous matchup on October 12 by taking charge in the opening rallies. The Foresters lead built to 6-3, but stalled as an Averi Lanman kill ignited a 6-0 run for the Knights as Sydney Schaffer served her team back in front. The run drew an early timeout, and Marian continued to put their foot on the pedal as the lead swelled five on multiple occasions. Skyler Van Note and Madison Brooks drove the lead to seven as Schaffer landed two services aces in a late run, leading to the 25-22 first set win.
In the second set, a quick 8-4 run helped the Knights jump in front early, with a block from Jaymison Summers and Grace Hunter fueling the spree. Two kills for Van Note off Logan Smith sets helped grow the lead to six after an early timeout, but Huntington would stay close as they countered with multiple service aces. An error ended the Huntington scoring spree, with a Jai-Lyn Norwood kill helping force the final timeout with a 17-10 lead. After the break, Marian cruised to the finish out-scoring Huntington 8-6, ending the set victorious 25-16 after Van Note's eighth kill.
Marian left no doubt in the match as they pounced to an early 7-2 lead in the final set, getting kills and blocks from Lanman, while Van Note continued her attack. After forcing a timeout with a 10-4 lead, Schaffer started a 3-0 run with a service ace and pushed the margin to nine. The Knights would keep their lead above seven points for the remainder of the match, and led by as many as 13 in the stretch run as they closed the match with a 25-13 victory in the third game.
The Knights hit .228 in the contest, and had 33 kills and 32 assists. Van Note led all players with 13 kills while hitting .367, and Norwood had eight kills. Lanman and Summers each had five kills, with Lanman posting a team-leading four total blocks. Both Katie Hardegree and Logan Smith had double-doubles from their setting positions, as Hardegree led the team with 16 assists and 13 digs, while Smith had 14 helpers and 12 digs. Schaffer finished the match with four service aces, setting a season high.
Marian will go on to play against Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night, as the Knights play in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals. First serve from Marion, Ind., will be at 7 p.m.
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