BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Marian University women’s volleyball (4-12, 1-1 NACC) fell in straight sets to Olivet Nazarene and dropped a five-set match to Governors State to open the Holiday Inn Classic.
The Sabres opened against the host Tigers falling by set scores of 25-16, 26-24, and 25-22. The Marian offense was held to a .084 hitting percentage for the match but finished strong recording 10 kills in the final set. Sophomore Riley Shores had nine kills to lead the Marian offense, while freshman Natalie Yanke had four block assists and junior Reagan Jasica posted 13 digs.
Marian was then able to force five sets after dropping the first two sets against Governors State but suffered a 25-22, 25-16, 19-25, 20-25, 15-12 defeat. Marian held a 66-45 advantage for kills and a 114-100 edge in digs for the match. After a 4-4 start to the fifth, the Jaguars scored five of the next six points to build just enough of a cushion to take the final set.
Junior Kaitlyn Merrill had a monster match recording her third double-double of the season with 26 kills and 10 digs. Jasica was just as strong in the back row digging up 36 balls. Freshman Lauren Massie had three service aces to go with 24 digs.
Marian closes the Holiday Inn Classic taking on Cardinal Stritch and Columbia tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 24.
