MARION, IN – After going .500 in the pre-Crossroads League season, the Volleyball team started League play with a trip to Indiana Wesleyan University.  The Lady Cougars played well, but the Wildcats proved too much to handle as SAU fell to IWU 25-12, 25-13, 25-22.

Lindsay Murray led the Cougar defense with 16 digs and the offensive attack was moderate but balanced as Alyssa Frees had seven kills, Tenille Marowelli had six, and Rebekah Kujat, Emily Verhage, and Kacy Hersha each had three kills.

"This is a faster team then we have seen in preseason so it took a bit longer to gain vision of their hitters and to find stronger blocking schemes that could funnel their hitters into a ready defense," said Coach Carol Gates.  "The experienced gained in this match will be evident as we continue through the first round of conference play.  This team has great potential and just needs exposure to get experience."

Spring Arbor falls to 4-5, 0-1 (CL) while IWU moves to 6-3, 1-0 (CL) and will play next in Winona Lake, IN at Grace College on Friday night at 7:00 pm.  The Cougars will enjoy their home opener the next day on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm against Huntington University