INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian volleyball team stole the first set on Wednesday night in the PE Center, but was unable to keep up with the eighth-ranked Wildcats over the next three sets, as Indiana Wesleyan recorded a 3-1 victory against the Knights. Marian falls to 15-10 on the year and 7-9 in league play following the loss.

Marian showed fight and grit in set one, attacking the Wildcats from the opening rally, which ended in an Avery Toole and Nicole Wilkinson block of Eva Joldersma. The two teams fought back and forth in the first 16 rallies of the night with the scoring showing an 8-8 tie, but it would be the Wildcats who first grew separation, using a 3-0 run to establish a lead. Trailing 13-10, the Knights used a kill from Avery Toole to find a rhythm, going on a 4-0 run that provided a 14-13 lead and forced a Wildcat timeout. The Knights would remain in control after the break thanks to a pair of Chloe Cook kills, but eventually, a 6-1 run saw Indiana Wesleyan inch within two points of a 1-0 lead. The Knights used their timeouts to get back in system, going on a 5-1 run to reclaim a lead and force set point themselves. IWU would not get another set point in the game after once leading 24-24, as Cook finished the set with consecutive kills, giving Marian a 28-26 win.

The early steal against the Wildcats provided a strong start for Marian, but to the Knights' undoing, they could not match the energy over the remainder of the match. Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to a 10-6 lead in set two, expanding the lead to nine points as they later worked a 5-0 run. Trailing 21-12 in the set, Marian could not overcome the early deficit, eventually falling 25-17.

Marian came back to life early in the third set as a 3-0 run helped provide an early 5-4 lead, but a response of a 5-1 run from the Wildcats gave the visitors a lead for good. Two Chloe Cook kills would preserve a two-point margin as the Knights tried to matchup with the Wildcats, however it would not stick, with another five-point swing going in favor of the Cats. Indiana Wesleyan led by as many as 10 in the third set, as they won the set 25-17. The Wildcats would repeat their success in set four, using an early 6-1 run to take control. Marian stayed within six for much of the set, but a late 5-0 run would seal the game, as Indiana Wesleyan finished their four-set win with a 25-14 victory. 

Khori Dryden had a strong offensive night with 14 kills and 12 digs to record a double-double, while Chloe Cook had a team-high 15 kills. Mya Cunningham had 23 assists and six digs in the loss, and Emma Lyons led the team in digs with 22. Nicole Wilkinson had a team-high four block assists. 

The Knights play their final road match of the regular season on Saturday, traveling to Goshen College. Marian then completes the regular season next Wednesday, November 5, against Grace College.

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