INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian volleyball team kicked off their home slate for the 2023 season with an effective 3-0 sweep of Spring Arbor, as the Knights began Crossroads League play with a home win. Marian's win was fueled by 46 kills, as the team moved to 7-4 on the year with their league opening victory.

The first set was the most competitive of the two, as the Knights and Cougars traded scoring runs of two or three points throughout the set. A 4-0 run from Spring Arbor would give the Cougars an 11-7 lead, but the Knights chipped away after a Jaymison Summers solo block, starting a 6-0 run for the home team that lasted through a Cougar timeout. Marian's lead sat at 13-11, and 16 rallies later the Knights and Cougars saw a deadlock once again at 20-20. Marian's Mikayla Christiansen scored the 20th point of the set for the home team, starting the closing 6-2 sprint, with Khori Dryden getting the final three Knight points in the 25-22 win.

Marian won the second and third sets by identical 25-14 scores, taking the lead early in the second set after a pair of Christiansen kills. The Cougars would hang with Marian as the set moved into the 21st rally, but three consecutive errors gifted Marian a 14-10 cushion. The run continued after the timeout as Marian led by six, while a 4-0 run paced by a Gabby Fish block and kill saw the Knights take the 20th point leading 20-12. Fish, Summers, and Madison Brooks helped close the second set with kills and blocks, giving Marian their 2-0 match lead.

The final set of the match started with Marian pouncing to a 4-1 lead, as the powerful hitters of Marian scored big kills. After withstanding a rebel roar from Spring Arbor that tied the set at 11-11, Marian scored six unanswered points, surging ahead 17-11. A Sydney Schaffer ace capitalized the run, as the Knights would go on one final surge with a 6-1 closing attack, winning the match on a kill from Christiansen to close the sweep. 

Christiansen led the Marian hitters in the sweep, as she recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs. Dryden also reached double-digit kills, posting 10 kills in the win. Gabby Fish finished with eight kills, and Jaymison Summers led the Knights with three total blocks to go with her three kills.

Adding to the defense was Emma Lyons and Sydney Schaffer, who dominated in the back row. Lyons posted 23 digs to lead the Knights, while Schaffer had 13 digs and one service ace. Logan Smith led the seters with 15 assists, while Sami Luttel recorded 14 in her two sets of work. 

With the win, the Knights will have an opportunity to reset before their first three-match slate in Crossroads League play next week. Marian's action next week begins at home, as Marian hosts No. 22 Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the PE Center at 7 p.m.

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