FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – In an impressive performance in front of a raucous crowd, the Marian University women's volleyball team downed visiting Concordia University Chicago in straight sets, this evening, Oct. 17, and kept its conference tournament hopes alive in the process.

The Sabres (8-16, 4-4 NACC) were led by Catelyn Brehm and Jessica Roberts, who connected on 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while Amber Baker was solid in finding attackers, recording 25 assists. Brehm registered her second double-double of the season with 11 digs and added four service aces as well.

Defensively, Marian limited CUC (5-19, 2-6 NACC) to just .064 hitting in the match. The Cougars led a lot of each the second and third sets, but the Sabres were resilient and denied CUC in straight sets.

In the first set, Brehm led the way for the Sabres, totaling four kills on 13 attempts (.231), while adding six digs. The Sabres trailed briefly at the start before building a 21-13 lead and forcing the Cougars to call their second timeout of the set.

CUC responded out of the timeout with a nice run to cut the deficit to 24-22, but it was too little, too late and a Cougar service error accounted for the final Marian point in a 25-22 win.

Marian fell behind early again in the second set as CUC took a 9-3 advantage on an Austin Thompson kill. However, the Sabres chipped away with three straight points on a Hunter Godfroy kill and a couple unforced errors by the Cougars.

Later on, Allison Flasch got into the act with her serve. The freshman tied the set at 16-16 with one of two aces on the night. The Cougars answered back to build a 19-16 lead shortly thereafter, but a five-point Sabre rally suddenly turned the tide.

CUC took a timeout, but by then all the momentum and a formidable student section was in Marian's favor. The Sabres would score nine of the final 12 points to take the set, 25-22.

In the final set, the Cougars hit .192, but garnered just nine kills. The Sabres totaled 12 team kills and hit .150, while dispatching CUC, 25-21. It was another come-from-behind effort as the Cougars led by as many as three points, but a rally down the stretch culminated with a Brehm ace to close out the match.

Marian is left with just three conference matches remaining. Rockford (8-15, 1-7 NACC) invades Sadoff Gymnasium tomorrow morning, Oct. 18. The Sabres will recognize its lone senior, Kathryn Braunling, in a pre-game ceremony. First serve is set for 11 a.m.