No. 3 Marian Knights Prove Too Formidable for Cougars to Overcome

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The University of Saint Francis Cougars (10-9; 4-3 Crossroads) traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday afternoon for a tough challenge against the No. 3 Marian University Knights (14-1; 6-1 Crossroads) but couldn't overcome the Might Knights as they fell in three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-16.

The Cougars came into the match facing their third straight ranked conference opponent in the Knights after defeating the No. 19 Taylor Trojans Wednesday before falling to No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan Friday and were up for the task.

In the opening set the Cougars looked to be spot on as they built an early 5-1 lead over the Knights. In the early going Saint Francis was able to maintain the lead over Marian despite the Knights chipping away.

After that though, the Knights went on a six-point service run to take a 17-13 lead, and never looked back as the Cougars dropped the first set by nine.

Heading into the second set the Cougars got out to another quick start as they led 6-2 in the early rallies. But the Knights, much like they did in the first frame, stormed back to take a 12-8 lead.

The next several rallies went back-and-forth, but then with the Cougars trailing just 18-16, the Knights went on to score on seven of the last nine rallies to claim the second set by seven and putting the Cougars in a two-set hole.

As the third set got underway the Knights wasted no time in jumping out to a 6-0 lead over the Cougars, but Saint Francis did not quit.

Saint Francis scratched and clawed to do everything they could, but the Knights simply proved too formidable as they took advantage of another four-point service run to claim the match in three straight sets.

Throughout the match sophomore setter Alexa Sparks led the team in assists with 12, while senior defensive specialist Maile Steckelberg led the way in digs with 13, and sophomore outside hitter Paige Fortkamp led the way in kills with 10.

The Cougars resume play on Wednesday evening when they travel to Spring Arbor, Michigan to take on the Spring Arbor University Cougars (10-7; 1-5 Crossroads) beginning at 7:00 pm.

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