LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Marian University women's volleyball (0-2, 0-0 NACC) fell to No. 5 Carthage in straight sets and Lake Forest in five sets to open the fall portion of the 2021 season.

A tough task opened the season for the Sabres as Marian took on the fifth-ranked team in the nation, Carthage.  Marian held a five-point late in the second set but Carthage was able to rally and eventually earn a sweep with set scores of 25-14, 25-23, and 25-10.

Sophomore Serina Pehowski had a team-best seven kills to go with a pair of service aces, while senior Brooklyn Taylor paced the back row with a match-high nine digs.

Marian got out to a slow start in match two of the day against host Lake Forest falling 25-11, but the Sabres were able to rally for back-to-back set wins.  The Sabres were able to put together their best offensive performance of the day in the second set hitting .194, while also holding Lake Forest to a  -.103 attack percentage to win the second 25-21.  The third set needed to go to extras but Marian was able to edge LFC 26-24. 

A late rally for the Sabres in the fourth fell just short in another highly competitive set at 27-25.  The Foresters were then able to use the momentum of forcing a fifth to take the decisive set 15-10.

Sophomore Reagan Jasica posted a team-high eight kills to go with 18 digs with Taylor adding another strong performance in the back row with a team-high 24 digs.  Sophomore Anna Tapia had 15 assists and 15 digs to go with four service aces for a double-double.  Pehowski was able to record five total blocks in match two of the day with one being a solo block.

Marian closes out the Forester Invitational tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 4, taking on Mount Mary at 10 a.m. and Loras at 2 p.m.