Franciscan 1, Grove City 3

Franciscan Starters 
Grace Wallace, Mary Jean Cadman, Tessa Miller, Angela Sweeney, Sarah Clyde, Kaitlan Hickey, & libero - Sara Moore 

How It Happened 
With four games left in the regular season, Franciscan Volleyball hosted Grove City on Wednesday evening at Finnegan Fieldhouse. This was the first match between these two teams this season, as the Wolverines entered this matchup seventh in the PAC, one spot below the Barons. 

The first set belonged to Franciscan, as a 5-0 run gave them a 5-1 edge. Mary Jean Cadman led the way with five kills this set, and Gabrielle Disselkamp had four as well. The Wolverines did not down easy, as they tied it back up at 18-18 before taking the lead.  With the score at 22-22, Tessa Miller provided a big kill from the middle to take the momentum. Cadman then added her final kill of the set before a Grove City error gave Franciscan the first set by a score of 25-22.

Franciscan kept the momentum rolling to start the second set. They took a 6-2 lead thanks to three kills from the Franciscan middles. The Wolverines answered with a 6-0 run to take control temporarily. Then, the Barons would score four straight on Meghan Hickey's serve to take the lead at 10-8, Three straight Grove City points put them back in control, and Franciscan did not hold the lead the rest of the way. The Wolverines swung it at a .387 clip this set to close it out 25-21. 

A back-and-forth start set the score at 8-7 Grove City leading. The Wolverines then went on a 9-1 run to take a commanding lead at 17-8. The Barons were not able to get any traction this set, as they hoped to regroup in the fourth.

They did with kills from Hickey, Miller, and Sweeney to take a 4-2 edge. Neither team led by more than two points until Sweeney provided a kill to give Franciscan a 20-17 lead. The Barons maintained that lead with a score of 22-19, but then the Wolverines scored three straight to knot it up at 22-22. Franciscan would not be able to get to set point, but they had it tied at 24, 25, and 26. The Wolverines finally were able to put up back-to-back points to take the set 28-26 to win in four sets.
 
Inside the Numbers 
-Clyde, Sweeney, and Cadman all recorded double-digit points.
- Miller held a .313 attack percentage with eight kills and one solo block.
- Wallace had 28 set assists and one kill from the setter spot.
- Elizabeth Luebbers had four kills in her return from injury.

Up Next
Franciscan concludes their five-game home stand on Saturday as Saint Vincent comes to Steubenville. The Barons are 4-10 all-time against the Bearcats, but they have beaten them in their last two meetings. Earlier this season, Franciscan beat them 3-2 at Saint Vincent in part of the season-opening Bearcat Challenge Tournament. None of the sets were too close, including Franciscan's 15-6 win in the fifth set. Cadman led the way with 18 kills, and Ava King had 17 in the win. Since that match, the Bearcats have played better, as they hold an overall record around .500 but above .500 in conference play. 

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