Marian University women’s volleyball (11-7, 3-3 NACC) rallied after trailing two sets to one to defeat Concordia Chicago 26-24, 16-25, 15-25, 25-19, and 15-13.
After a 13-13 tie to open up the first set the Sabres were able to score six points unanswered to take the first big lead of the match. The Cougars were able to respond and cut their deficit down to one but the Sabres were able to once again build a 24-20 advantage. CUC was able to rally once again and tied the match at 24-24 but back-to-back blocks gave the Sabres the first set win.
The next two sets were all Cougars, however, as the Concordia Chicago offense went for 27 kills to only four errors. Marian was able to show resilience jumping out to a 7-2 lead to open the fourth set. After the Cougars tied the set at 9-9, Marian was able to once again go on a 9-4 spurt and take the lead for good. The Sabres were able to prevent any thoughts of a rally closing out the set with a 6-3 run.
Concordia Chicago was able to take the first lead of the decisive set five 4-1, but Marian was able to rally and tie the set at 7-7. From there, Marian was able to take the lead with a 5-2 run and built their lead out to 14-10. Concordia Chicago held off the first three match-points but a kill from sophomore Kaitlyn Merrill clinched the final set.
Merrill was dominant all over the court recording the first double-double of her career behind a match-high 20 kills and 12 digs. Senior Brooklyn Taylor was able to pace the Sabre back row with 21 digs, while sophomore Anna Tapia also had a double-double stemming from 40 assists and 14 digs. At the net, Marian was able to block nine Cougar attacks with sophomore Serina Pehowski playing a hand in six of those blocks.
Marian improved to 3-2 on the season in matches that require five sets with the victory.
Marian closes out the weekend hosting Dominican Saturday, Oct. 9 for a noon first serve.
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