DUBUQUE, Iowa – Marian University women's volleyball (2-13, 1-2 NACC) traveled to the NACC-IIAC Crossover Challenge for the opening day of competition and were pitted against Simpson and Loras.  The Sabres fell to Simpson 3-1 (25-17, 25-15, 19-25, 25-17) and were defeated by host Loras 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-18).

Simpson came out in the first set scoring the first eight points, which proved to be the difference as they held a comfortable lead to the final of 25-17.  The second set saw Marian jump out to the early lead scoring six of the first seven points of the set.  This lead didn't last long, however, as the Storm scored 13 of the next 16 points to take a 14-9 lead.  Simpson was able to extend on this lead scoring nine of the final 11 points in the set.

Marian was able to take the early lead in the third set as well at 13-10, but the Sabres were able to finish the set strong to keep their come back hopes alive.  MU was able to close out the set scoring seven of the final eight points with three kills from Jessica Roberts.

Simpson bounced back opening the fourth set with a 13-4 lead.  Marian was able to cut the deficit down to five, but the Storm were able to hold on for the 3-1 victory.

Roberts had a match-high 15 kills in the loss with Katrina Jansen recording a team-high 22 digs.  Catelyn Brehm also found double-digit digs with 13.

In the second match of the day, the Duhawks were able to jump out to leads in all three sets and were able to manage those leads as they went on to sweep Marian.

Jansen put together another nice match in the back row with a match-high 17 digs.

Marian concludes the NACC-IIAC Crossover Challenge against Luther at 11 a.m. and Dubuque at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26.

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