Franciscan 3, Bethany 0

Franciscan Starters 
Mary Jean Cadman, Sarah Clyde, Tessa Miller, Logan Hickey, Mary Smart, Therese Heisler, and libero - Kaitlan Hickey

How It Happened 
Fresh off a sweep of Thiel on Saturday, Franciscan traveled to Bethany and delivered another sweep. This win was their fifth consecutive against their local rival, as they have not lost to them since 2023. With the win, the Barons pass the Bison and secure a tiebreaker over them in a very crowded PAC South Division that will have the top four teams make the playoffs in a few weeks.

After a kill by Heisler, the Barons held a 5-3 lead, but then the Bison were able to take the lead and control the opening set. Bethany led by as many as four points, as they held a 20-16 lead and looked to be in position to take the opening set. Caroline Linklater and Mary Jean Cadman added kills to tighten the match to within one, but then Bethany served for the set with a 24-22 edge. A Logan Hickey kill, which she followed up with an ace, that led to extra volleyball. The Barons fended off three more set-point opportunities before putting up back-to-back points and won the opening set 31-29.

Bethany took the early lead in set two. The turning point came at 7-6, Franciscan trailing. Cadman added a pair of kills, and Clyde added one in part of a 4-0 run to take the lead. The Barons did not look back from there, as they totally controlled this set. Logan Hickey added insurance with several kills, as she had 13 through two sets. Franciscan won the second set by a score of 25-19.

Mary Smart started the third set with two consecutive aces, and that started a very dominant set for Franciscan. With the score at 7-6, Franciscan went on a 14-0 run. Linklater added a pair of aces on the run, as the Barons had all the momentum. The Bison added a couple of points down the stretch, but the Barons won 25-10 in a statement set. 

Inside the Numbers 
- Logan Hickey led the Barons with 17 kills and a .350 attack percentage.
- With 329 kills this season, Hickey now has the second-most kills in a season by a Baron all-time.
- Kaitlan Hickey had 14 of the Barons' 51 digs.
- Linklater had three of the Barons' 10 service aces.
- Mary Smart had 30 set assists.

Up Next
Franciscan remains on the road to take on Westminster on Saturday afternoon. This is their lone meeting against the Titans this season. The Barons are looking to snap an 11-match skid against them with a win on Saturday. Each team is in a similar spot, as they are both trying to hold onto a playoff spot while being in the middle of their division. 

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