MARION, Ind. –  #7 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball defeated #1 and defending NAIA Champion Marian University 3-1 on Wednesday night in a thrilling match in Luckey Arena. The Wildcats handed the Knights their first loss since November 16, 2019 when IWU defeated MU in five-sets for the Crossroads League Tournament Championship. 

INSIDE THE BOX

• Five Wildcats recorded double-digit kills as Courtney Watkins led the way with 14. 
• Havyn Gates tallied 27 digs with Ana Collar posting 18. Collar also added 10 kills. 
• Olivia Zawadzki and Seabring Mak split the setting duties tallying 54 assists.
• Gates also collected a game high three service aces giving her 14 on the season to keep her among the leaders in the Crossroads League.
• IWU won the hitting percentage battle .171 to Marian's .140.
• Indiana Wesleyan held the two leaders in hitting percentage in the Crossroads League well below their average. Jai-Lyn Norwood and Sarah Spangler posted .378 and .374 respectively prior to tonight. In the match IWU limited them to .250 and .150 respectively with a combined 16 kills.
• Allison Sparrow tallied four blocks and 11 kills with a .308 hitting percentage to lead the Wildcats. 
• Rachel Klitzing sent the ball back five times and recorded 10 kills in the match.

COLLAR PERSPECTIVE

• It was a great team effort, I am really proud of the girls. We have been working really, really hard doing the things that we can do and knowing the rest is our of our control.
• I couldn't do it without the girls support. They are so encouraging and all the girls next to me are great.

MOATS PERSPECTIVE

• This win was way bigger than just a win. We worked out a lot of things tonight for out team to come together and be united to perform in playing a team like this. They are very strong and a great team. For us tonight the victory was more of what God is doing in our lives and I am excited for that seeing the redemptive work that is going on!
• It was a great distribution of the setters to mix the ball around and make Marian guess. We don't have a real star, it's a great distribution of everyone and I like that!

NEXT TIME OUT

• Indiana Wesleyan travels to Mount Vernon Saturday to face the Cougars with the match set to start at 3:00 p.m.

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