FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Wednesday evening the University of Saint Francis Cougars (6-7; 0-1 Crossroads) began Crossroads League play in their home opener at Hutzell Athletic Center when they took on the Huntington University Foresters (5-7; 1-0 Crossroads) but after a back-and-forth battle, fell in four sets.

After the first set started as a back-and-forth battle with each team exchanging points, the Foresters found some momentum and went on a four-point service run to take a 17-12 lead. With as evenly matched as both teams were, neither was able to gain a huge edge, but the Cougars were never able to catch back up to the Foresters as they fell 25-17 in the opener.

Coming into the second set, the script flipped for the Cougars. After both teams were tied at six to open the frame, Saint Francis grabbed the momentum this time and enjoyed a nine-point service run as they went ahead 15-7 over Huntington.

That service run was more than enough for the Cougars to prevail 25-18 and even the match at one win apiece.

The third set proved to be the closest of the match.

After falling behind 7-4, the Cougars went on a five-point service run to take a 9-7 lead and it looked as though they would carry that momentum throughout the frame.

But the Foresters fought back and chipped away as they found themselves tied and then went back-and-forth with neither team able to gain an edge. Then with the Cougars trailing 20-16 it was then Saint Francis' turn to chip away and they did just that, closing the deficit to 23-21 late in the frame.

But the Foresters had the last laugh as they rallied to score on two of the last three rallies to take the set 25-22 and lead over the Cougars two games to one.

Opening the fourth set, the Foresters built an early 4-1 lead and never relinquished it. Despite a couple late surges by the Cougars to close the gap, Saint Francis didn't have enough as the Foresters won the fourth set 25-18 to claim the match in four.

Throughout the match, senior defensive specialist Maile Steckelberg had a team-leading 29 digs while sophomore setter Alexa Sparks led the way in assists with 27, while senior middle hitter Eliana Serdynski, sophomore outside hitter Paige Fortkamp, and junior right side Haidyn Carrico combined for 30 kills.

The Cougars resume play next Wednesday evening when they travel to Goshen, Indiana for their first road conference game of the season when they face the Goshen College Maple Leafs (2-8) 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.