SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University volleyball team was three points away from dealing No. 22 Marian University its first loss of the season on Wednesday night, but the undefeated Knights rallied to avoid the upset and defeated the Cougars 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-13, 15-8).

After winning the first two sets, Spring Arbor was on the verge of sweeping Marian, holding a 22-19 lead in the third set. However, after a quick timeout, the Knights closed the frame on a 6-0 run. The visitors would go on to claim the next two sets to steal a win inside the McDonald Athletic Center.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Marian def. Spring Arbor 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-13, 15-8)

LOCATION: McDonald Athletic Center | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 4-3 (0-2 CL), Marian 11-0 (2-0 CL)

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor was in control the first two sets. After falling behind 2-1 early in the first, SAU would record four of the next five points and never trail again. The Cougars raced out to an 8-1 advantage to start the second set behind kills from Sydney Ritz, Emily Martin, Macey Rupp and Claudia Ellis, and never surrendered the lead.
• The Cougars were on the verge of completing the upset, leading 22-19 in the third set. However, following a timeout, Marian would tally six consecutive points to avoid the sweep.
• After being held to a -.011 hitting percentage in the first two sets, the Knights flipped the script over the final two frames, hitting at a .254 clip on their way to earning their 11th straight win to begin the season.
• Ritz had a match-high 14 kills while adding 11 digs and four blocks. Alison Ford registered nine kills to go along with a career-high 21 digs. Ellis and Rupp added eight kills apiece with Ellis also putting down six blocks.
• Setters Emily Martin and Sarah Eliason combined for 43 assists while Eliason also posted two aces.
• Libero Paige Porter picked up a career-best 28 digs. Kyara Black and Maggie Watson finished with six and five blocks, respectively.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will look to bounce back when it hosts Taylor University (11-7, 2-0 CL) on Friday, Sept. 13. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

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