FOND DU LAC, Wis. - The Marian University women's volleyball team needed five sets to defeat Alverno with set scores of 25-13, 23-25, 25-14, 21-25, and 15-8 to improve to 5-20 on the year with a 3-6 conference ledger.  The match opened up a four-game homestand to conclude the season.

"We played consistently in the first set," said head coach Kerri Huebel.  "They are a good serving team and that's why they were able to stay in the game, but we were able to overcome that and come away with a much needed win."

The Sabres were able to open the match with a .308 hitting percentage with only one hitting error. After a 14-10 MU lead to start, Katrina Jansen went back to the service line and helped spark a 7-1 lead to extend their lead out to 21-11 and cruise to the set win.  Marian was also able to produce four aces from the service line in the set victory.

The Inferno fell behind by a slim 18-17 score to begin the second set but a timeout from the bench turned the momentum and ignited a quick 4-0 streak that gave Alverno a 21-18 advantage.  This streak proved to be the difference as the teams traded points to a 25-23 set final.  Jessica Roberts had five kills in the set to lead Marian.

Marian was able to cruise once again in the third set hitting .273 with only two errors to take the 2-1 advantage.  The Sabres defense was also strong in the set holding Alverno to a -.094 hitting percentage behind four block assists from Hannah Buntrock.

MU appeared poised to clinch the match in the fourth set leading 20-16, but the Inferno used a timeout to shift the momentum and finish the set on a 9-1 run. Alverno then used the momentum shift to their advantage opening the decisive fifth set with a 9-8 lead before Marian scored seven consecutive points for the win.  Roberts hit .625 in the set and led the way with five kills.

Roberts finished the match hitting .389 with a match-high 18 kills, while Alexandra Meidl hit .304 for the match and chipped in nine kills.  Katrina Jansen had a team-high 20 digs from the back row, and Amber Baker produced a double-double with 32 assists and 10 digs.

Marian will next host Benedictine Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in NACC action.

--FightBlueFight--