APPLETON, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – After trailing two sets to none, the Marian University volleyball team battled back to force a decisive fifth set, but host Lawrence University proved too much to overcome with a 15-6 win in the final set inside Alexander Gymnasium, this evening, Sept. 18.

The Vikings came out blazing, recording 16 kills without committing an attacking error in the first set on the way to hitting .485. The Sabres, meanwhile, rode the hot hands of Anna Smit and Casey Lamberty, who each tallied 13 kills. Lamberty added 20 digs as Marian tried to stave off defeat.

Lawrence improved to 5-8 with the win, while Marian dropped to 5-8 with the loss.

In the first two sets, the Vikings registered a .382 hitting percentage or higher and committed just one attacking error combined as they cruised to a 2-0 sets lead.

Lawrence had four players record double-digit kills, led by Terese Swords' 21. Betsy Sorensen added 16, while Megan Conley and Kayla Storm both added 11 apiece.

The Sabres answered back in the next two sets, taking advantage of 17 attacking errors combined by the Vikings.

The fifth and decisive set was decided early on as Sorensen and Swords led a 6-0 run after the Sabres took a 2-1 lead in the set.  Both combined to record nine kills in the set and the Vikings finished the match as furious as they started.

Marian fell for the fifth straight time despite the valiant effort. Katrina Jansen recorded a team-high 28 digs, while Morgan Dercks and Jordan Menges split the majority of 41 Sabre assists.

Marian will have the weekend to rest as it looks to rebound in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference road opener at Wisconsin Lutheran College Tuesday, Sept. 24.