Cougars Knock Off No. 19 Taylor Trojans in Intense Battle

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Wednesday evening the University of Saint Francis Cougars (9-7; 3-1 Crossroads) played host to the No. 19 Taylor University Trojans (15-3; 4-0 Crossroads) at Hutzell Athletic Center and won in five sets by scores of 26-24, 12-25, 17-25, 25-23, and 15-9.

After three straight victories in Crossroads League play, the Cougars were faced with the challenge of facing the first of three ranked conference opponents and were up to the task.

In the first set both teams went back-and-forth in the early going, and the Cougars managed to take a 14-11 lead midway through the frame before the Trojans had to call a timeout. But the Trojans fought back, tying the set on various occasions.

Then with the score tied at 21 the Trojans went on a three-point service run to lead 24-21 and put the Cougars on the ropes. But then, a kill by senior middle hitter Eliana Serdynski gave the Cougars the ball back, and then five-straight points completed the incredible rally by the Cougars as they took the opener by the barest of margin.

Opening the second set, both teams went back-and-forth in the early going before the Trojans took a 9-5 lead on a four-point service run forcing the Cougars to call a timeout. Then after that, it was all Taylor for the remainder of the second set as they surged ahead to win 25-12 to even the match at one.

In the third set, the Cougars battled hard and took a two-point lead early on, but a three-point service run in the middle of the frame put the Trojans ahead and they never looked back, maintaining their distance from the Cougars before claiming the third frame 25-17.

Come the fourth set, the Cougars regained their composure and took advantage of an early lead to build upon and maintain their distance from the Trojans. Saint Francis led 18-13 late in the frame before the Trojans called a timeout.

Despite the Trojans battling back to tie the set on various occasions late in the frame, the Cougars held on to prevail 25-23 and set up a deciding fifth set.

Opening the finale, the Cougars carried their momentum over and built an early 7-2 lead and never looked back as they rallied after trailing two sets to one to eclipse the nationally ranked Trojans and claim the match in five hard-fought sets.

Throughout the match sophomore setter Alexa Sparks had a team-leading 49 assists, while sophomore outside hitter Paige Fortkamp was the team leader in kills with 16, and senior defensive specialist Maile Steckelberg had a team-leading 22 digs.

The Cougars resume play on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Marion, Indiana to take on the No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (11-2; 4-0 Crossroads) beginning at 7:00 pm.

Cougar fans, stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting Saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.