Spring Arbor, Mich. - The Marian volleyball team continued their undefeated start to the season with a 3-0 victory Wednesday night, as Marian rolled through a sweep of Spring Arbor. The Knights Crossroads League opening win gives them a 9-0 overall record on the season.
The Knights wasted little time getting out in front against the Cougars in the opening set, building a 5-1 lead in the first six rallies. Marian continued to see their lead swell as a solo block from Averi Lanman and a Jai-Lyn Norwood kill vaulted the advantage to seven. A Cougar kill spoiled a short run, but a service error got Marian back in system and ignited a 6-0 run to push the visitors in front by 12. The Knights coasted through to take the first set, winning 25-15 on a Skyler Van Note kill.
Gabby Fish and Van Note helped Marian jump out to a lead in the second set, with the hitters pushing their team in front. The Knights never gave in to the Cougars, and maintained their lead throughout the game as Sydney Schaffer and Madison Brooks drove the lead to 12-7. The Cougars would only get within three points for the rest of the set, as a pair of 3-0 spurts pushed Marian to a 25-16 win, winning the set on a Jaymison Summers solo block.
The third set was tight throughout the opening 20 rallies, as Spring Arbor showed a fight trailing 2-0. After falling behind 9-8, Marian surged ahead 11-9 after a pair of Cougar errors boosted their score, giving the Knights the advantage. The two teams drew even twice, but Marian was able to maintain the upper hand, never trailing after the score showed a 13-13 tie. The Knights closed on a 4-0 run under Emma Lyons serve, as her service ace and two Norwood kills put the finishing touches on the 25-18 win.
Fish led Marian in kills with 12, as she hit .706 in the win. Norwood was the only other Knight in double figures with 11 kills, while Van Note and Brooks combined for 15 spikes. Katie Hardegree and Ainsley Neighbors each had 19 assists in the win, and Gianna Feld led the defense with 21 digs. Marian had six blocks total as a team, with Lanman posting two of the four solo rejections.
Marian will return to action next week, taking on No. 25 Mount Vernon Nazarene on September 14 at 7 p.m.
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