MARION, Ind. -- Top-seed Indiana Wesleyan University had no problem advancing tonight as they quickly dispatched No. 8-seed Marian (Ind.) 3-0 in the Crossroads League Volleyball Tournament Quarterfinal match inside Luckey Arena.

Indiana Wesleyan (30-7) cruised into the semifinals as they defeated Marian 25-12, 25-14, 25-17. IWU will now play No. 5-seed Bethel (Ind.) on Thursday.

“We needed to come out and make a statement right away,” said IWU head coach Candace Moats. “We didn’t want them to get any ideas that they were going to get a chance of winning this game. And our girls did that.”

A big factor in the victory was the play of outside hitter Bianca Cifaldi (SO/Itasca, Ill.). She earned 15 kills in the victory which is the second most in a match this year for Cifaldi. Her .565 hitting percentage is the best of the season for the sophomore.

Emily Workman (FR/Tinley Park, Ill.) contributed 14 assists while Katey Holler (JR/Marion, Ohio) had 13 assists and seven digs. Remy Bucknor (SO/Euless, Texas) ended the match with six kills plus one solo and two block assists. Ashlen Buck (SO/Brazil, Ind.) and Sam Elkin (SO/Ebensburg, Pa.) each served two aces.

“We have fighters, we have competitors, and we have people who just know how to get it done,” stated Moats. “Even though we go through lulls or don’t play super well, and if the opponent gets close, they kick it in. These girls are focused on what they want.”

Indiana Wesleyan next plays in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals at 7 p.m. on Thursday as IWU hosts Bethel in Luckey Arena. Bethel upset No. 4-seed Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) 3-1 to advance.