The University of Mary Marauders

BISMARCK, N.D. - The Marauders fought hard through the match, but #13 Wayne State proved to be too much for U-Mary in the closing set and the Wildcats swept the match in straight sets 25-12, 25-22, 25-13.
 
The Marauders applied early pressure to the Wildcats, winning the first two points thanks to some solid play on the net from the defense. Wayne State responded in kind after rallying off a 5-1 run to go up 5-3. U-Mary battled back to tie the game at 5-5, but the Wildcats would take the lead and hold on at 8-7. The Marauders kept the score close, only down 9-8 midway through the first set, but Wayne State methodically pulled away from U-Mary and extended the lead to 21-12 before putting the set away for good at 25-12.
 
The second set is where the Marauders turned up the heat. Utilizing some stellar play on the net from Allison Adams, the Marauders took an early 6-4 lead. Wayne State battled back to regain the advantage at 9-8, yet U-Mary would not be denied as they regained the lead 14-13 with some unyielding play on offense and defense. The Marauders extended their lead to 20-16 but a critical timeout from the Wildcats took the wind out of the sails for U-Mary. Wayne State closed the gap to 22-20 and eventually wore down the Marauders with a 5-0 rally to close out the second set 25-22.
 
After a quick breather to recuperate, both teams came back out on the court ready for the third set. Wayne State jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but the Marauders climbed back into the set with key kills from Adams and Kelsey Boyd to narrow the deficit 5-4. After exchanging some points on both sides, the Wildcats grew their lead to 10-6 and the Marauders responded in kind with a kill from Lauren Randall and Katelyn Olson to stay close behind at 11-9. From there, the Wildcats turned up the attack and rallied off a 7-1 run to extend the lead to 18-10. With the game in hand the Marauders struggled but couldn't gain any momentum and eventually fell 25-13 in the final set.
 
The Marauders distributed the offensive effort tonight; Randall led the way with six kills, 19 attacks, seven digs and one block assist. Adams was everywhere on the court tonight with five kills, 18 attacks and five block assists. Boyd had a hand as well with four kills, 12 attacks, five block assists and two digs.
 
Janell Finkbeiner was the primary driver for the offense tonight as she finished with 15 assists and seven digs. Olson helped out where she could with three kills, seven assists, one dig and one block assist.
 
Alex Brown continues to anchor the defense with 14 digs while also recording one ace and one assist.
 
The Marauders (3-15, 0-9 NSIC) will host #19 Augustana on Saturday, Oct. 11, in the second game of their Dig Pink Weekend.