INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian volleyball team closed the week with their second straight victory, as the Knights swept St. Francis 3-0 on their senior day. Marian's win gives them a record of 14-1 to end the week, as they improve to 6-1 in Crossroads League play. 

Marian won the first set 25-16, coming from behind to win as they fell behind 5-1 after six rallies, which prompted an early timeout. The Cougars lead in the game slowly dwindled, as the Knights offense began to find gaps in the St. Francis back line. Skyler Van Note helped lead the charge to claw back within three, as multiple Cougar errors aided the home team's cause. A block from Van Note and Jaymison Summers helped turn the tide in the first set, as the Knights turned a 13-12 deficit into a 5-0 run, taking their second lead of the day. Another block out of a Cougar timeout gave Marian an 18-14 lead, as they scored six unanswered points to help put the game away.

The Knights again played from behind in the second set, as the Cougars took an early 6-2 lead. A service error helped get Marian back in rhythm, as they used the free point to create a 6-1 run and take an 8-7 advantage. A 4-0 spurt fueled by two points from Summers gave Marian the lead for good in the second set, as Averi Lanman, Jai-Lyn Norwood, and Van Note landed their attacks. Leading 18-16, a Norwood kill helped give Marian their finishing spark, getting a pair of service aces from Ainsley Neighbors to complete the 25-18 win.

Leading 2-0 in the match, Marian wasted little time with the third set as Van Note and Lanman recorded multiple blocks and kills, pacing a 6-0 lead. Avery Toole and Katie Hardegree found opportunites and scored with kills helping Marian win the race to 10, while Summers and Van Note would help the lead push to eight. A late 5-1 run gave Marian a sizeable 23-13 lead, allowing them to coast to a 25-16 third set win.

The Knights offense played through some lulls in the win, as they recorded just 29 kills and had a hitting percentage of .186. Van Note led the team in kills as she recorded a match-high 13, while also recorded nine digs and four block assists. Lanman led the team with six total blocks including one solo, and Summers had five kills to go with four total blocks. Logan Smith and Hardegree each had 11 assists in the win, while Neighbors and Gianna Feld tied for the team-lead with 10 digs. The pair of back row players combined for five of Marian's seven service aces. 

Marian will finish the first half of Crossroads League play on the road, opening a tough two-game trip with a road matchup at No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night.

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