MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Using multiple late-set runs, the 16th-ranked Marian volleyball team picked up their second Crossroads League win of the season on Wednesday night, as the Knights took down the Pilots 3-1. Marian jumps to 10-2 with the win, and holds a 2-1 record in Crossroads League play with the victory.

Bethel gained the first advantage on Wednesday night, as the Pilots soared in front 7-3 in the first 10 rallies of the match. Ava Tindall and Chloe Cook sparked Marian's revival into the set with consecutive kills, as a 4-0 run brought the game to an even score. Khori Dryden and Nicole Wilkinson kept the offense running, as the score traded hands until the score rocked to an even 15-15 margin. Bethel went in front 16-15 on a block of Dryden, but the Knights wouldn't wait long to make their move, responding with a 5-0 run. Mya Cunningham dunked a kill to ignite the run, which would be the spark to push the Knights to a 1-0 win. The run finished at a 10-3 clip, as Wilkinson put down the final point in the 25-19 win.

Marian fell behind again in the second set, seeing the Pilots build an early 11-6 lead. Bursts of two and three point swings helped Marian jump back into the game after a timeout, eventually clawing within one after a Bethel attack error. The Pilots would push their 16-15 lead into a four-point edge, but a timely stoppage from coach Ryan Bowerman turned the tide for the Knights, as Wilkinson and Cook immediately scored a block to spark a run. Marian scored four consecutive points to force a Bethel timeout, with the run continuing after the break as the Knights pulled out a 25-22 second set win.

The Knights would not see the same fate in the third set, as Bethel held their early 10-4 lead, staying on top as the home team won game three 25-22. Marian trailed by as many as six in the game, and despite a late push from Cook's offense and Sami Luttel's serve, the Knights were unable to pull out a third come-from-behind win. 

Bethel rode the momentum from their third set win into the fourth and quickly jumped in front 6-1. Marian got a timely side out from a Bethel service error, and scored kills from Tindall and Cook to get back into the set. Trailing 11-7, a service error from Bethel propelled Marian on a 5-0 run, jumping the Knights into the lead. The Pilots were able to overcome their shortcomings and reclaim the lead at a 23-19. Seeing the set almost slip out of their hands, Marian benefited from a Taylor Delp attack error, with a block from Sarah Bennett and Danielle Schade stacking the comeback rally. Marian got within a point after a Schade kill, and despite seeing Bethel at set point, a service error and timely block kept Marian alive to tie the game 24-24.

Marian finished strong, continuing their run with back-to-back kills, winning set four 26-24 to take the match 3-1.

Cook led Marian with 14 kills in the win, while Dryden and Tindall combined for 15 kills. Dryden dominated in the back row as a six-rotation player, recording 19 digs while Emma Lyons had 18. Sami Luttel led the setters with 20 assists, and Mya Cunningham had 19 assists and four service aces. Sarah Bennett finished with a team-high five block assists.

Marian will finish their second week of conference play at home, taking on Mount Vernon Nazarene on Friday night, September 15. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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