INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball returned to Mid-Central College Conference action on Thursday night at Marian (Ind.) University following a nearly two week layoff with non-conference foes.

But the Wildcats dropped the match in three sets to even their overall record to 7-7 while their MCC record is now 1-3. IWU lost by scores of 26-28, 17-25 and 19-25.

In the opening set, Indiana Wesleyan trailed 21-24 and called a timeout. IWU roared out of the timeout with four straight points to gain a 25-24 advantage. Indiana Wesleyan would earn a second set point opportunity at 26-25, but Marian finished the set with three straight points for a 28-26 win and a 1-0 lead.

The second set saw Indiana Wesleyan fall behind 19-11 and in trouble of dropping the first two sets. IWU cut the deficit in half and clawed back into the set at 19-15. But Marian closed the door with six of the final eight points for the 25-17 decision.

Set three featured a quick 5-1 lead for the Knights but the lead quickly vanished as the Wildcats answered with 10 of the next 15 points to take their first lead in the set 11-10. But just as quick the Knights tallied the next two points to take a 12-11 lead and never trailed the rest of the night. IWU was still within reach late in the set as MU led 19-16, but the Knights would pull away with four unanswered points for the 23-16 advantage and closing the match with the 25-19 set three victory.

Freshman outside hitter Rae Brandes, freshman middle hitter Kristine Egebrecht and junior middle hitter Peyton Thompson led Indiana Wesleyan in kills. Brandes had a team-high nine kills while Egebrecht and Thompson each contributed eight. Egebrecht finished with a .333 hitting percentage while sophomore setter Yui Iwase assisted on 30 kills.

Egebrecht was a force at the net for the Indiana Wesleyan defense with two solo blocks and four block assists while junior outside hitter Kate Denlinger added four block assists.

The Brandes twins led the Wildcats in digs as the only two players in double digits. Freshman libero Rebecca Brandes collected 11 while Rae Brandes had 10.

Marian increases it MCC record to 4-2 on the season to move into fourth place, just one game behind Taylor (Ind.) University at the top of the conference. Overall, Marian is 5-8 and winners of four straight.

Indiana Wesleyan returns home to Luckey Arena for their next match as the Wildcats play host to Goshen (Ind.) College at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 25.

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