INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's volleyball team bounced back in the win column Saturday evening, as Marian earned a clean sweep over St. Francis to close a season-sweep of the Cougars. Marian's win improves their record to 16-5 on the season and 7-4 in the Crossroads League.

Marian wasted no time grabbing a lead in the first set, as four Mikayla Christiansen kills sparked a 7-0 run to start the match. St. Francis would respond with a 6-0 run to make the contest a one-point set, but a kill and service ace from Christiansen kept Marian in control. The Cougars would rally and take the lead briefly, but Marian remained in control, eventually grabbing a 17-11 edge after scores by Madison Brooks, Sarah Bennett, and Christiansen. Khori Dryden and Brooks helped take Marian to the finish line in the opening set, as the Knights claimed a 25-20 victory over the Cougars.

After a back and forth start, Marian took full control in the second set as Dryden, Bennett, and Christiansen paced the offense. Emma Lyons would score a free ball kill to give Marian a 13-11 lead, and three swings by Dryden pushed Marian in front 17-13. The Cougars could do little to slow the Knights, as Brooks and Bennett scored to help their team win the race to 20. After establishing their 20-14 lead, Marian finished the set strong going on a 5-2 run to take the second game 25-16. 

In the final set, Marian rotated through their lineup, finding offensive success from Avery Toole and Emma Hirchak. Lexa Zimmerman and Kadence Conrad helped pushed Marian's attack as the Knights won the race to 10, going on an 6-0 run under Sami Luttel's serve. Toole and Conrad contributed to the run, helping Marian claim a 16-8 lead. The Cougars would chip away as the set progressed, but were unable to keep up with the Knights, as Chloe Cook and Lainey Brauman scored kills in the closing stretch, while Sami Luttel ended the evening with a service ace, sealing the 25-20 third set win.

The Knights used their entire roster Saturday evening, and were led offensively by Mikayla Christiansen who had 16 of the team's 43 kills. Brooks and Dryden each had six kills, and Hirchak and Toole each had four, playing the third set only. Emerson Evans played the entire match and led the setters with 18 assists, while Emma Lyons had 17 digs to lead the team. Gabby Fish and Nicole Wilkinson each had two block assists in the win, and Sarah Bennett had three total blocks, including two solos. 

Marian will head on the road next time out, traveling to Bethel University on Wednesday night for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against the Pilots. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.