ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Marian University women's volleyball (2-10, 0-1 NACC) fell behind two sets to none to Grinnell but rattled off six consecutive set wins to defeat the Pioneers and Illinois College at the opening day of the Augustana College Tournament.

Marian started slowly with 20 kills to 20 errors that allowed Grinnell to easily take a 2-0 lead with set scores of 25-12 and 25-17.  Marian trailed 11-9 in set three before their momentum shifted for the remainder of the day.  Marian would go on an 11-2 run to take a commanding 20-13 lead and eventually scored four of the final five points in the set to take the win.

The Sabres used a similar 7-2 run in the middle of the fourth set to build a comfortable 21-15 lead before the Sabres were able hold off a 6-3 Grinnell run to force a winner take all fifth set.

In the fifth set Marian jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead before Grinnell fought back to cut the deficit down to 10-8.  The Sabres then finished off the comeback scoring five of the final seven points to take the fifth set 15-10.

Freshman Erika Horstman led the offense with 17 kills to go with a .216 hitting percentage, while senior Catelyn Brehm hit double-digit kills with 15.  Brehm also recorded a double-double with her 10 digs in the back row.  Junior Amber Baker also had a double-double with 13 digs and 46 assists.  A trio of Sabres recorded double-digit digs led by freshman Andrea Kubicek's 17.

The second match of the day against Illinois College was all Marian as the Sabres hit a season-high .213 in their first straight sets win of the year.  The Sabres used fast starts in the first two sets to take commanding leads and were able to hold off late Illinois College charges to take a 2-0 lead. 

The third set, however, saw the Lady Blues jump out to a 13-5 advantage before Kubicek stepped to the line and led a quick 6-0 run that cut the deficit to two.  Illinois College hung onto their lead at 17-16 before senior Morgan Dercks led Marian to seven consecutive points from the service line as Marian was then able to cruise to the sweep.

Brehm had another big offensive performance leading the offense with 16 kills, while junior Katy Funkhouser had 12 kills with a .455 hitting percentage.  Baker led the back row with 14 digs as she completed her second double-double with 38 assists.  Freshman Jenna Skroski and Dercks each had double-digit digs in the win with 12 and 11, respectively.

The Sabres close out the Augustana Tournament tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 17, taking on host Augustana at 10 a.m. and Monmouth at approximately noon.

--FightBlueFight--