Franciscan University Barons Athletics

Franciscan 1, Thiel 3 - PAC Quarterfinal

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

How It Happened 
Franciscan went to Thiel for a PAC Quarterfinal match on Tuesday evening. Earlier this season, the Barons were able to sweep the Tomcats in Steubenville. The Barons were able to win the service line with 12 aces, and they contained the reigning PAC Offensive Player of the Year, Daisy Jenness, to just five kills in that three-set match, her worst game of the season. Jenness showed her offensive prowess in the postseason, as she had a season-high 26 kills and the Tomcats had 16 aces to win the PAC Quarterfinal match.

A slow start to set one put the Barons in a 7-3 hole, but they were not discouraged. They rallied back to take the lead at 12-11 after a 6-0 run, including a pair of aces from Logan Hickey. With the score tied at 15, the Tomcats pulled away with a 5-0 run. The Barons battled back with a 4-0 run, including four straight kills from Logan Hickey, but it was too little too late, as the Tomcats took the opening set. 

The second set did not go as planned for the Barons, as Thiel took an early 5-1 edge. The Tomcats never relinquished the lead, as they were in total control. The Barons had just six kills in the set, as they put up 17 points.

Coach Jen Hickey rallied the troops as they continued to battle in enemy territory in the third set. Logan Hickey had four early kills, and Tessa Miller and Sarah Clyde added one apiece, as the Barons held an 11-9 edge. Cadman, Hickey, and Linklater kept the offense going, as the Barons controlled this set. They served for the set at 24-22, but the Tomcats answered with a point. Then, the Barons came through with one of the most exciting, hard-fought points to secure the set.

The momentum did not carry over to the fourth set, as the Tomcats jumped out to a large lead. The Tomcats served for the match at 24-10, but the Barons rallied five consecutive points before the Tomcats closed them out to advance to the PAC Semifinal.

Inside the Numbers 
- Logan Hickey led the Barons with 20 kills and 25 points.
- Kaitlan Hickey added 28 digs.
- Jenness had 27 points, and DeLattre had 23.5 points to help the Tomcats win. 
- Each team had 6 total blocks

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