Mount Vernon, Ohio - For the first time in two seasons, the Marian volleyball team will play for the Crossroads League Tournament Championship, as the Knights upset No. 14 Mount Vernon Nazarene 3-1 in Wednesday's CL Semifinals. Marian's win gives them a mark of 23-7, as they landed their first victory over the Cougars this season.
Mount Vernon opened the night by winning a back and forth first set, as they responded from allowing the first two points by going on a 7-2 run. The Cougars would lead by five after 17 rallies before Marian asserted themselves, scoring four straight to get back within one. A 3-0 run by the Knights highlighted by a Madison Brooks kill tied the set 14-14, but it was not enough to fully overthrow Mount Vernon in the game, as the home team would use a 5-0 run after falling behind 19-18 to go on and win set one 25-22.
Marian used their late opening set energy that allowed them to take a lead in the second set, as the Knights controlled every aspect of the game. After coming to a 5-5 deadlock early on, strong attacks by Khori Dryden and a solo block from Mikyala Christiansen pushed the team in front 11-6. Marian continued to attack after a timeout, pushing in front 17-9 to force the final Cougar stoppage in the set. Nicole Wilkinson and Christiansen played a key role in finishing a second set win with strong offensive approaches, as Marian dominated the rest of the way in a 25-12 victory.
With the match level 1-1, the Cougars responded in the third set by grabbing a quick 4-1 lead. Marian rallied back behind the arms of Christiansen and Gabby Fish, igniting back and forth play. The two teams matched each other in scoring rallies, but a 4-0 Marian swing led by Brooks and Sarah Bennett put Marian on the right side of the net. With the side out point in favor of Marian, the Knights battled with the lead on their side until the set drew even once more at 21-21. The Cougars would go back in control as they willed their way to set point at 24-23, but a kill from Fish extended the set. Marian would again face set point, but a free ball kill from Emma Lyons gave the Knights the life they needed, moving the game to a 25-25 tie. Christiansen followed the libero's kill with a service ace, setting up Khori Dryden who won the set 27-25 with a kill on the outside.
Now leading 2-1, Marian saw an opportunity and took it, racing out to a 7-3 lead in the fourth set. Mount Vernon would tie and eventually take a 9-8 lead, but it was not enough to keep Marian down, as a 6-1 run led by four kills and two Sarah Bennett blocks gave the Knights a 14-10 lead. Mount Vernon was unable to comeback into the set after falling behind, as Marian reached the winning stretch as a Bennett block made the score 20-15. The Knights would finish the match on a 4-1 swing, getting the winning kill from Christiansen as the Knights completed the one-set deficit with a 25-19 fourth set victory.
Khori Dryden had a strong night as she led the offense, recording 15 kills to pair with 17 digs for a double-double. Mikayla Christiansen also had a double-double with 13 kills and 20 digs, while setter Logan Smith led the team in assists as she dished out 27 helpers while marking 13 digs. Emerson Evans had 22 assists, and Gabby Fish and Madison Brooks had a combined 21 kills from the right side. Emma Lyons led the defense with 35 digs in the win, and Sarah Bennett had a strong blocking night, recording seven total blocks, including four solos.
Marian will take on top-seed and No. 3 ranked Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday evening in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship match. First serve in Luckey Arena is set for 5:00 p.m.
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