VOLLEYBALL

After a three-game road stand, the Forester volleyball team was back in Platt Arena Wednesday night to host 15th-ranked Marian University. After slipping past their hosts in the first two sets, the visiting Knights ran away with set three for the sweep, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10.

It’s the eighth consecutive win in straight sets for MU as they remain near perfect on the season with just one loss for a 26-1 overall record, 14-1 record in CL action.

With two regular season matches remaining, the Foresters drop to 14-17 overall which includes a 6-10 record in CL play.

It was a little bit of a Jekyll and Hyde match for the hosts. “I thought the first two sets were the best we have played yet this season. I was so proud of my girls, and they should be encouraged knowing that is the team we are and can be at all times. We played outstanding defense,” said Herber.

But it was a different story after that. “We did not come out mentally tough in the third set and made too many unforced errors. The third set showed us that we are not where we need to be yet and that we need to flip a switch in terms of our mentality. I trust we will learn and grow from this and be better because of it.”

Both teams finished the night with 30 kills with the Knights enjoying a slightly higher hitting percentage. While offense was a wash, a noteworthy difference between the two squads was what happened behind the service line. Marian finished without any service errors and eight aces while Huntington committed nine blunders while posting just two aces.

Offensively, Lindsay Ingenito paced Herber’s crew with eight kills on 14 swings. Paige Eakright added seven kills while Brandy Michie and Tya Bynum registered six and five respectively. Jennings Tacosik collected 23 assists.

On the defensive end, Ariene Butler was one of three Foresters to finish with double digit digs. The 5-3 libero tracked down 16 digs, Eakright recorded 13 and Laura Nagle finished with 12. Eakright also tallied three of her team’s five blocks which included two solos.

Prior to squaring off with #4 Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., the Foresters will recognize their two seniors in Paige Eakright and Elaine Bredensteiner.