MARION, Ind. - After taking the third set from the Wildcats, the Marian volleyball team fell short in four sets to No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan Friday night. Marian is now 18-9 overall and 12-5 in Crossroads League play.
It was a neck and neck battle to begin with the two teams trading points throughout the entire first set, before Marian gained a bit of momentum after
Khori Dryden connected with
Mikayla Christiansen for the kill to give the 19-17 advantage to the Knights. Indiana Wesleyan put themselves back within one with a kill of their own, but it was the Knights going ahead 21-18 after back-to-back kills from
Gabby Fish. The Wildcats evened the score at 21 after a kill and ace to force a Marian timeout. Marian had three chances for set point, but the hosts clawed their way back to 24-24 before eventually taking set one 28-26.
The start of the second set was a different than the first as Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. Marian ended the run behind the efforts of Dryden who pounded down two kills. IWU gained their biggest lead of the set at 18-10 before Dryden and Fish teamed up with
Logan Smith for four consecutive points. The Wildcats grabbed the 22-15 lead, but kills from Christiansen and
Jaymison Summers ignited a comeback to hold off an aggressive IWU squad. The bit of momentum posted by Marian did not phase the hosts as they held on to win the second set 25-19.
With it being do or die time, the Knights came up big in set three. The third set was going point for point through the first eight points until Dryden's kill and a big block from Dryden and Lanman sparked an 7-3 run, propelling them to the 13-7 lead. With the lead in hand, Marian never looked back as they held the lead the remainder of the set to win 25-20.
IWU responded in dominating fashion in the fourth set as they garnered the 11-4 favor after seven straight points. Dryden put an end to the run after
Ainsley Neighbors found her for the kill, but it was the Wildcats once again building on momentum to extend their lead to 20-13. Fish answered back with a kill, but it was not enough as the IWU offense was too much to handle as they would go on to win 25-16.
Dyrden led the way with 12 kills, while Fish and Chrsitiansen each added 11, with Christiansen picking up 13 digs.
Emma Lyons led in the dig category with 22 and Smith dished out 22 assists for a team-high. Summers and Lanman had four and three blocks, respectively, and Neighbors served up two aces.
Marian will finish the regular season tomorrow at Taylor, with first serve coming at 4 p.m.
MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.
