FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Friday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (5-2) continued their play in the Electric City Invitational in Great Falls, Missouri against the Master's University Mustangs (2-0) and then against the Haskell University Fightin' Indians (0-2) and then sweeping the Haskell University Fightin' Indians in three straight to go 1-1 on the day.

In the opening match against the Mustangs, the Cougars started strong in the opening frame as they jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and never looked back as they played the rest of the set building upon their lead and dominating the Mustangs.

By the end of the first set, the Cougars had a 25-11 victory and all the momentum heading into the second set.

The second set though went back-and-forth throughout but the Mustangs eventually took advantage of a seven-point service run to gain a 20-13 lead over Saint Francis though the Cougars clawed back to close the deficit to within three points late in the frame.

But the Mustangs got the last laugh as they held on for a 25-21 win to even the match at one win apiece.

In the third set it was the Cougars who once again jumped out to an early lead as they went ahead by seven early in the frame.

But once again the Mustangs fought back and went on another seven-point service run to tie and overtake the Cougars late in the frame 23-17. Saint Francis was never able to comeback as they faltered 25-18 to trail by a game in the match.

They then trailed 5-2 to start the fourth set but the Cougars remained resilient and enjoyed a six-point service run of their own to climb back and take the lead. Later in the frame they went on a five-point service run to extend their lead over the Mustangs to 15-9 and scored on five of the last six rallies to claim the fourth set 25-13 and send the match to a deciding fifth set.

In the finale, the Cougars put up a good fight and found themselves ahead of the Mustangs 11-9 late in the frame, but then everything went the Masters' way as the Mustangs rallied to score six of the last seven points to surge ahead and claim victory over Saint Francis 15-12.

Throughout the first match, sophomore setter Alexa Sparks led the way with 41 assists while senior defensive specialist Maile Steckelberg had a team-leading 21 digs and sophomore outside hitter Paige Fortkamp led the way in kills with 12.

In the second game against the Haskell Fightin' Indians the first set started as a back-and-forth battle before the Cougars found themselves ahead 18-17 and then scored seven unanswered points to claim the opening set 25-17.

In the second set the Cougars capitalized on a nine-point service run as they came from behind to win in dominating fashion 25-19 to go ahead by two games in the match.

There was no more time to waste as the third set got underway. The Cougars jumped out to a 5-2 lead, extended it throughout the set and eventually completing the sweep with a 25-15 win.

Maile Steckelberg once again led the team in digs with 19 while Paige Fortkamp led the way in kills with seven.

The Cougars will wrap up the Electric City Invitational with a single match Saturday afternoon against the Arizona Christian University Firestorm (1-0) beginning at 4:00 pm.