ROCKFORD, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University volleyball team fell in straight sets to host Rockford College in a Northern Athletics Conference matchup this evening, Oct. 19.

A tight first set went extra points and in favor of the Regents that seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the match. Rockford responded with an eight-point second set victory, followed by a narrow third set triumph to stun the Sabres at home.

Marian hit just .092 for the match, while its best hitter, Anna Smit, went just 5-for-22 with six errors. Four Sabres reached double-digits in digs, led by Katie Reimer's 13. She recorded her 12th double-double of the season, adding 29 assists in the loss.

Marian falls to 13-13 overall, 5-5 in the NAC with the loss, while Rockford improves to 5-23 (2-8 NAC) with the win.

The Sabres managed a .154 hitting percentage in the first set and held Rockford to just .119, but it was just enough for the Regents to pull out the 26-24 set win.

Nothing seemed to go right for Marian in the second set as they hit -.051, while Rockford answered with a .205 hitting percentage, converting 12 kills against just four errors to win 25-17. The Sabres' offensive struggles continued in the third set as the Regents held them off in a decisive, 25-21, third set victory.

Only two NAC matches remain and the Sabres are still very much in contention for a NAC tournament berth. A win over MSOE tomorrow would clinch Marian a spot in the tournament for the first time since 2010. First serve is 11 a.m. in Milwaukee.