INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian volleyball picked up their first Crossroads League victory of the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon, as the Knights scored a four-set victory over St. Francis (Ind.) in their third home match of the season. Marian improves to 9-2 on the year and 1-1 in the conference following the victory.

Marian got off to a strong start Saturday, rolling in front 7-2 as the offense found their shots across the floor. Ava Tindall sparked an offense that hit .345 in the opening set, recording four kills in total in the first game. A Sarah Bennett kill forced a USF timeout with Marian on top 12-7, while the offense continued to roll as the lead swelled to seven. Multiple Cougar errors helped Marian maintain their momentum, and at set point Avery Toole put away the first game, securing a 25-17 Knights victory.

In the second set the strong offensive start faded, as the Knights were unable to establish a rhythm. Chloe Cook recorded a service ace to provide a 10-8 lead, but the Cougars would stay steady, overcoming a 19-12 deficit. Errors began to mount for Marian as they sat six points away from a 2-0 lead, allowing a 6-1 run that saw Saint Francis come within two. A one-sided 6-0 run under the Cougars' followed their efforts of narrowing the gap, as they reached set point leading 24-21. Sami Luttel dunked a kill to stop the run, but Saint Francis immediately answered with a Teigan Fortkamp kill, taking set two 25-22.

The match drew to a 1-1 tie after the Cougars' win, but the win would do little to slow Marian, as the Knights quickly regained their form. A commanding 11-2 start paced Marian in the third set, and put the team in the driver's seat to moving on top 2-1. Ava Tindall and Sarah Bennett paced the 8-0 run that gave Marian their lead, while Bennett would keep Marian in control as she capitalized a three-point swing that put the Knights within seven of a set victory. The lead would shrink from 10 to five, but with a 20-15 lead at hand, the Knights began to roll, as Tindall and Luttel scored a combined three of five unanswered points to win set three 25-15. 

In set four, the Knights wasted little time taking control, using a 10-3 start to the final game. Danielle Schade and Emma Lyons provided the spark in the early run, while Tindall and Bennett continued to be strong as the duo drove the lead to 11 points. Chloe Cook helped push the team score to 20, and ignited the closing stretch, as Nicole Wilkinson buried a kill on the final rally, sealing a 25-9 victory in set four. 

Marian's offense hit .280 in the match, and were led by Ava Tindall's breakout game, with the freshman hitting .538 as part of a 15 kill match. Sarah Bennett put down 10 kills, and Cook finished with six as part of a balanced attack. Emma Lyons had 17 digs and two service aces, while Mya Cunningham recorded 24 assists in the win to lead the setters. Bennett led the blocking efforts with six block assists. 

The Knights return to action on Wednesday, September 10, when they travel to Bethel University for a 5:00 p.m. match against the Pilots. 

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