INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) women's volleyball team traveled to No. 16 Marian University for a Crossroads League clash on Saturday, September 6. 

The Knights won the match 3-1, with set scores of 17-25, 25-22, 15-25, and 9-25.

MU jumped out to an early lead in the first set. The Cougars tried to rally, but they were unable to close the gap, and Marian secured the opening set with a score of 25-17.

In the second set, MU took a 20-16 lead, but SF fought back with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 21-21. The Cougars then forced a Marian timeout after gaining a two-point lead at 23-21. An attack error by MU, followed by a kill from the Cougars, allowed SF to win the second set 25-22, tying the match at 1-1. Saint Francis hit an impressive .323 in set two with a match-high 15 kills.

In the third set, MU again started strong, establishing a 19-10 lead. Saint Francis tried to cut the Knights' lead, but Marian hung on for the third set win to retake the lead in the match.

The Knights hit .458 in set four as Marian took the set to win the match 3-1. Marian improved to 9-2 overall and 1-1 in league play with the win.

The Cougars recorded 38 kills and 10 total blocks. Madison Dhoore finished with 12 kills and a .214 hitting percentage. Annabelle Sweigert followed with eight kills and two solo blocks. Teigen Fortkamp contributed 32 assists and three kills of her own. Hannah Sweeney had a team-high 11 digs, while Isabel Freese added seven digs. 

Up next, Saint Francis women's volleyball (4-10, 0-2 CL) will welcome the No. 7 Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University in the Cougars' home opener on Wednesday, September 10. 

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 21 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,800 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.