RIPON, Wis. – Marian University women’s volleyball (3-1, 0-0 NACC) earned a straights-set win over Luther before falling to host Ripon in five sets to close out the Ripon College Classic.

LUTHER (25-20, 25-19, 25-20)

  • A strong start to the morning saw Marian earn its second straight win in three sets.
  • Luther started with a 2-0 lead and it would be their only lead of the set.
  • The Norse cut the Marian lead down to two at 22-20 before the Sabres closed out the opener with three straight points.
  • The second set went back-and-forth leading to a 12-12 deadlock.
  • Marian was able to take control of the set going on an 11-3 spurt.
  • The third set started with a 7-6 Sabre lead and was expanded with seven unanswered points.
  • The Norse fought back and trailed by as little as three but the Sabres would hold off the comeback.

RIPON (25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 22-25, 16-14)

  • The final match of the Ripon College Classic saw the Red Hawks jump out to a 7-1 lead in the opening set.
  • Ripon led by as much as 10 at 15-5 only for Marian to rally with a 14-5 spurt to only trail by one.
  • The Sabres were able to tie the set at 21 and 23, but back-to-back points gave RC the first set.
  • Marian found its groove in the second taking 12 of the first 15 points to begin the second.
  • Marian led by as much as 11 in the set and cruised to even the sets at 1-1.
  • The two squads traded leads in the third with Marian eventually leading 16-14.
  • Ripon then took the lead for good with six straight points.
  • Marian once again cut their deficit down to one at 23-22 but the Red Hawks ended the set with back-to-back points.
  • The Red Hawks had another strong start in the fourth leading 6-2 only for Marian to score the next points and lead 7-6.
  • Marian built its lead out to 16-11, but Ripon responded with five straight points to tie the set at 16-16.
  • The two squads were deadlocked again at 20-20 before Marian was able to force a fifth set behind five kills from three different student-athletes.
  • Marian took an early 8-3 lead in the fifth, but Ripon had an answer tying the set at 8-8.
  • The Red Hawks eventually took an 11-9 lead, but momentum shifted towards Marian as the Sabres took a 14-12 lead.
  • Ripon would not only hold off the two match-points, but closed the match with back-to-back service aces.