MARION, Ind. – No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan volleyball claimed their second straight Crossroads League Tournament Championship after a 3-1 victory over No. 22 Marian in Luckey Arena on Saturday. In the match Eva Joldersma totaled a season high 27 kills, Abbigail Porter recorded 58 assists her seventh match of the season with 50+ assists and averaged 14.5 assists per set, Camaya Murry tallied a career high 21 digs, and Julia Price posted a career high 12 kills.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Luckey Arena | Marion, Ind.
• Records: IWU – 31-2, 18-0 CRL  | MU – 23-8, 12-6 CRL
• NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU – #5 | MU – #22
• CRL Tournament Seed: IWU – #1 | MU – #3

MATCH VITALS

• Neither team found separation in the first set with IWU holding a 18-17 lead late. Marian finished the first set on an 8-2 run to steal the victory.
• The Knights looked for an early dagger in the match, going up 4-1 to kick off the second set, but IWU responded with an 8-0 run to take a 9-4 lead. A 9-4 run late put the Wildcats up 24-19, but Marian scored 4 straight and looked ready to steal their second set of the match. A kill from Martina Demarchi gave the home team a 25-23 win.
• The red and gray used a 6-2 run to grab a 12-8 lead and force Marian into their first timeout. The Knights pulled within 1 at 19-18, but would not get any closer the rest of the set as Abbigail Porter recorded a kill for the last point of the set.
• IWU took an early lead in the fourth set, but MU came back, tying the set at 17-17. A quick 4-0 run from the Wildcats force the knights to take their final timeout. Kills from Marissa Mullins, Martina Demarchi, and Eva Joldersma, along with a Marian error gave IWU the Crossroads League title with a 25-20 win.
• Eva Joldersma recorded a match high 27 kills. Martina Demarchi tallied 14. Julia Price had 12.
• Marissa Mullins picked up 5 blocks to lead IWU.
• Camaya Murry led the team with 21 digs. Cadee Notter tallied 17.
• Abbigail Porter led the way with 58 assists.

MOATS PERSPECTIVE

• “What this team has accomplished is off the charts,” Said Head Coach Candace Moats. ” This team has gone 69-2 over the last two years, what an accomplishment!. Marian came with a vengeance and a high level of play. We battled with perseverance, belief, and a big fight. I’m so proud of these girls and their belief in each other and their desire to go out and be the best they can be everyday. Thank you to everyone who came out, it was a huge help!. We are excited to get back to training and prepare for the NAIA Tournament.

LOOKING FORWARD

• IWU will learn their NAIA Tournament Opening Round opponent on Monday during the NAIA Selection Show at 1:00 PM.