Franciscan 3, Thiel 2

Franciscan Starters 
Gracie Francis, Elizabeth Luebbers, Gabrielle Disselkamp,  Grace Wallace, Mary Jean Cadman, Rani Hebert, & libero - Sara Moore 

How It Happened 
Franciscan Women's Volleyball hosted Thiel for Senior Day, the final game of the 2023 season. Mary Jean Cadman, Rani Hebert, and Grace Wallace would all be honored during the pregame festivities, and then go on to make their mark in this game to end their collegiate careers. 

The Barons jumped out to  5-1 lead thanks to a 5-0 run on Cadman's serve. She would also serve for a crucial 7-0 run later on, which included a pair of kills from Hebert. The Barons took the first set 25-14.

It felt like the Barons were in total control, and that we may witness a quick match, but the Tomcats had different plans. In the second set, the score would be tied at 13-13. The Tomcats would go on a 9-1 run to take a commanding lead and tie the match at 1-1.

The Barons would answer in set three, as they took a 9-5 lead with Disselkamp earning three kills.  Cadman added a pair to extend the lead, as the senior continued her impressive day. The Barons would stay in total control of this set, as they would win 25-15. 

Four different Barons would register kills to help the home team take a 6-4 edge in the fourth set. Thiel would not quit though, as a 7-0 run would catapult them into the lead. They extended their lead up to seven at 18-11, which triggered a timeout from Head Coach Sean Cleary. The Barons answered with a 7-0 run to tie it up on Annelise Davis's serve. This set would remain close and even be tied at 23-23, but the Tomcats would pull out the win at 25-23. 

Thiel would continue with that momentum, as they jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the decisive fifth set. A Thiel service error gave them new life, as they would add three more points on Cadman's serve to take the lead at 11-10. Thiel would continue to battle and have this one tied at 12-12. Rani Hebert would give Franciscan the lead with a kill, and then add on two more with Davis earning the final point on an ace. 

With the win, the Barons secured their first winning season in program history, as they ended the year with a 13-12 mark in their first season with Head Coach Sean Cleary. 

Inside the Numbers 
- Grace Wallace broke her program record for set assists in a match with 53.
- Cadman had a career-best 17 kills to lead the Barons.
- Hebert had 15.0 points while leading the team with 4.0 total blocks.
- 62 kills are the most by the Barons in a game all season.

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