STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Marian University women's volleyball (2-3, 0-0 NACC) defeated Carleton with set scores of 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, and 25-17 to open the Pointers Invitational.

The Marian offense recorded double-digit kills and hit .284 for the match to defeat the Knights.  The Sabres opened with an 11-7 lead that they brought out to a 17-14 advantage.  Marian was then able to score seven straight points to take the opening set 25-15.  The offense for the Sabres recorded 14 kills to only two errors in the set, while the defense forced seven Carleton errors and a -.105 attack percentage.

Marian continued to use their momentum scoring the first five points of set two.  The Sabres held this edge out to a 16-12 lead before recording the next five points to build a comfy 21-12 advantage.  The Knights were able to cut the Marian lead down to as little as five but the Sabres still took the set 25-19.  Neither team led by more than four points in the third set and it was a 6-3 finish from the Knights following a 19-19 stalemate that forced a fourth set.

The Sabres held an early 15-14 advantage in the fourth set before using an eight one run that led the way for Marian to ensure a fifth set would not be necessary. 

Sophomore Kaitlyn Merrill paced the Marian offense recording a match-best 14 kills with a .303 attack percentage, while fellow sophomore Anna Tapia produced a double-double with 10 kills and 34 assists.  Senior Brooklyn Taylor and sophomore Reagan Jasica each had a match-high 10 digs with Taylor also recording four service aces.

Marian takes on Saint Mary's (Minn.) at noon and Beloit at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 11.