MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) - The Marian University women's volleyball team (10-17, 6-5 NACC) came up with a big time performance to spoil host MSOE's senior day and clinch a berth into the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference tournament with a thrilling five-set victory over the Raiders inside the Kern Center this evening, Oct. 25.

The Sabres took the first two sets before the Raiders responded by tying the match and sending it to a decisive fifth set. Marian then answered with a thunderous fifth set win by a score of 15-6. Jessica Roberts (15), Catelyn Brehm (12) and Kathryn Braunling (11) each had strong double-digit kill performances when the Sabres needed them most. Amber Baker also pitched in, adding 38 assists for Marian.

"The girls stepped up when they needed to in a must win game," Head Coach Kerri Huebel said. "We have battled day in and day out and it's paying off. Our girls stayed confident when they were down tonight and kept working for each point.

"Finishing sixth is great for us," Huebel added. "We have had our ups and downs all season long and I'm just happy for the girls because they deserve it."

The Sabres started out with a clutch first set, taking it 25-22 despite the home court noise. Roberts and Brehm each had four kills in the set and were assisted by three service aces.

MSOE helped the Sabres out in the second set, hitting -.088 on 10 errors and seven kills. It wasn't as clean of a set for the Sabres either, though, as their hitting percentage dropped to .118, but they were able to spread the ball around and find opportunities. Elizabeth Zuelke and Braunling each stepped up for the Sabres to get more than half of the team's second half kills.

The Raiders showed signs of a comeback in the third set taking advantage of Sabre errors and gaining a 15-8 lead. Slowly the Sabres chipped away, as they went on a 14-7 run to tie the set at 22 as Roberts and Brehm once again rose to occasion to lead the way.

Both teams went back and forth, as the set went into extra points. After the score was tied at 26, the Raiders were able to rally off two points to force a fourth set. The Raiders had a well balanced attack on the day as junior Leah Hendricks and sophomore Rachel Lynde lead the team in kills with 15 and 10 respectively.

In a crucial fourth set, the Raiders came out with a quick advantage forcing the Sabres to play from behind. After the Sabres cut the lead to 1, the Raiders went on a 7-0 run to give them a 20-12 lead that was too much for the Sabres to come back from. After the Sabres picked up three points, the Raiders finished off the set with five straight points to even the match at two.

The Sabres came out with a purpose in the fifth set gaining a 6-1 lead which was too much for the Raiders to come back from. The Sabres finished off the Raiders outscoring them 9-5 and coming away with the fifth set and the win.

Marian will now take on third-seeded Edgewood, the same team that bested them in the first round of the tournament a season ago and came away with a four-set victory inside Sadoff Gymnasium earlier this year.

"With regards to Edgewood, they are a solid team," Huebel said. "There is a reason they are the third seed. I truly believe we are a different team from the first go-around and we're excited about the rematch."

Marian looks to continue to build their momentum going into the postseason as the travel to UW-Oshkosh to face the Titans and finish the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The action starts at 7 pm.