Defense Powers Omaha Marian in Sweep of Millard West

CLICK HERE FOR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS AND COACH/PLAYER INTERVIEWS

OMAHA – If there were any questions as to how Omaha Marian would respond following its five-set loss to top-ranked Papillion-LaVista on Saturday, the Crusaders provided a resounding answer Tuesday night at Millard West.

Marian, ranked #3 in Class A, was firing on all cylinders for most of the night in a 25-20, 25-23, 25-20 win over #4 Millard West. Marian libero Brittany Witt, defensive specialist Andie Hanus and outside hitter Sophia Terwilleger put on a defensive clinic which fueled Marian on the night.

After winning the first set, Marian was tied with Millard West at 17-17 in the second set before consecutive kills from Hannah Mueller gave the Crusaders a 19-17 advantage. Later, a kill by Mary Katherine Wolfe and one by Terwilleger helped Marian build a 24-19 lead.

Millard West fought its way back into the set, however, and got within 24-23 on back-to-back kills by Kira Shapiro and Bridget Peterson. Terwilleger, however, ended the set with her kill off a Millard West block to put the Crusaders up 2-0.

Marian, 26-6, stayed on its roll in the third set, scoring the first five points and eventually got its lead to 22-12 after back-to-back kills from Elizabeth Loschen and Kate Belford.

Millard West, 22-5, again battled back with an 8-1 run to get within 23-20 after a Cassidy Loberg kill and Shapiro block. Loschen put the match away for Marian, though, with a kill followed by an ace block.