Knights Open Big Easy Blastoff With Sweep of (RV) Loyola

New Orleans, La. - Riding a three-match winning streak, the Marian volleyball team earned a commanding three-set sweep on Thursday night over (RV) Loyola to open the Big Easy Blastoff, hosted by Xavier (La.) University. Marian improves to 6-1 in their early non-conference run following the win, extending their win streak to four.

The Knights offense posted double-digit kills in each of the three sets Thursday afternoon, beginning with a 12-spike performance in the first set. Nicole Wilkinson helped ignite a 6-0 run to open the match, while a 4-0 run punctuated by a Sarah Bennett serving ace allowed Marian to hold a 15-6 edge. Both of Marian's commanding runs forced Loyola timeouts, with the Wolfpack trailing by seven or more for much of the final stages in the opening set. Mikayla Christiansen and Madison Brooks put away the first set with kills on two of the final three rallies, sealing a 25-17 win.

The second set stood as the closest in the match, as Loyola clawed back from their first set loss and challenged Marian until the final rally. Loyola took the first share of the lead, but a 4-0 run sparked by a Brooks kill and Logan Smith service ace produced an 11-7 lead. The Wolfpack came back out of a timeout and tied the set at 14-14, only to see Marian go back in front as Emma Hirchak led another 4-0 run, with Sydney Schaffer posting a pair of service aces in the run. Loyola would gradually tie the set at 20-20, and once again at 24-24 after Marian held three set points, but were unable to overtake the Knights. Khori Dryden halted the 3-0 Loyola run, while Evie Dart put away the set-clinching kill, giving the Knights a 26-24 victory.

With the 2-0 lead at hand, Marian left no doubt in the final set, hitting a blistering .423 in the third set alone. Loyola was able to keep the pace early as the set rocked back and forth through the first 16 rallies before the Knights bucked the trend with a kill from Brooks. The slam from the senior gave Marian a 9-8 lead, and helped fuel a 12-2 run, seeing the Knights surge in front 20-10. Marian scored four of their 14 kills in the final set during the run, while the team picked up a pair of service aces. Marian would go on to win the final set 25-14, with Avery Toole landing the finishing blow in the three-set win.

Emma Hirchak led Marian in kills with eight while hitting .417, and Gabby Fish had seven kills. Sarah Bennett and Sydney Schaffer each had a pair of service aces, and Logan Smith had 20 assists to lead the setters. Sami Luttel had 13 assists in the win, and Emma Lyons had 15 digs to lead the back row.

Marian will face a tall task in their Friday slate, taking on No. 7 Columbia College to open their day at 3:30 p.m., while ending their evening with an 8:30 p.m. matchup against MidAmerica Nazarene.

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