San Marcos, Calif. - The Marian volleyball team continued their undefeated start to the season Saturday afternoon, earning a pair of victories on their final day of play in California. Marian downed Hope International in their first match winning in four sets, while they swept San Diego Christian in their final match to move to 8-0 on the season.
Marian 3-1 Hope International (25-18, 21-25, 25-16, 25-13)
Marian took control early in the first set of their third match this weekend, pouncing out to an 8-3 lead. Hope International would rally back to tie the set at 9-9, but Marian responded out of a timeout with kills from Jai-Lyn Norwood and Avery Toole to reclaim the lead. The Royals would keep the score within two over the next handful of rallies, but were no match in the end as Toole, Madison Brooks, and Noorwood helped put away the opening set.
The Knights stumbled in the second set as some early errors plagued the team, playing from behind nearly the entire set. A 4-0 spurt in the game would get Marian back within a point, but the Knights failed to get back to even as the match drew to a 1-1 draw. In the third set, Marian came out with their same fire that displayed in the first by rattling off the first five points. Hope International eventually played their way back to level as the set played out, but a kill from Averi Lanman and Brooks put the Knights back in the driver's seat. Leading 15-14 after a service error, Marian used a 3-0 run to gain their momentum, closing the third set on a Skyler Van Note spike.
Marian showed their stamina in the fourth, pouring on an early 7-2 lead to take control of the game. Hope International was unable to play comeback in the fourth set, as Marian held firm to their lead with Toole, Lanman, and Van Note attacking the Royals defense. A late 5-0 run in the set helped Marian grab the double-digit lead, as Gabby Fish, Katie Hardegree and Van Note put away the match with the 25-13 victory.
Van Note, Fish, and Norwood each had double-digit kills, with Van Note leading the team with 14. Hardegree piled on 27 assists to lead the team, and Gianna Feld had a dominant game in the back row recording 26 digs. Norwood had a team-high seven total blocks, and Fish had five block assists.
Marian 3-0 San Diego Christian (25-23, 25-8, 25-17)
Looking to close their weekend strong, Marian jumped out to an 8-7 lead against San Diego Christian with Lanman and Brooks leading an early charge. The Hawks would take their hand on the wheel and build an 11-8 lead, forcing an early Marian timeout. The stoppage helped the Knights get back in system, with a 7-1 run pushing the team in front. Marian led the rest of the way in the first set, and got the winning point off of a Van Note kill.
Marian owned the second set, building an early 7-3 lead under Ainsley Neighbors serve. The junior setter picked up a service ace, and found her hitters as the lead blossomed to nine points. While Neighbors found her teammates, Marian went on a lengthy 9-0 run under Grace Hunter's serve, pulling away 20-6. Fish would close the dominant set, as Marian took a 2-0 lead with their 17-point victory.
The Knights again built an early lead, pulling ahead 10-5 after back to back solo blocks from Norwood. The Hawks fought to inch within three points, but couldn't overtake Marian as Hardegree and Toole teamed up to help build a 16-9 lead. Marian finshed the match with a 9-8 advantage, closing the third and final set on a kill from Sarah Bennett.
Van Note again led the team in hitting, posting a .600 percentage as she recorded a match-high 12 kills. Neighbors led the team with 19 assist, and Feld had a team-best 11 digs. Norwood again had seven total blocks, while Brooks had five and Jaymison Summers had two.
The Knights will return home and begin Crossroads League play on Wednesday, traveling to Spring Arbor for their league opener.
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