Leader Publications

NILES – Perennial Indiana powerhouse Mishawaka Marian swept a non-conference match from host Niles Tuesday night by using their speed.

According to Lady Vikings’ coach Linda Martin, Indiana plays at a much faster pace than Michigan schools and her team wasn’t able to match that just yet.

Marian took a 3-0 victory over Niles, winning 25-12, 25-13 and 25-14.

“I am not pleased that we are not stepping up to the speed of a match,” Martin said. “Our intensity was really low until game three, the last couple of points. We can’t take that long to warm up, especially against a good team.”

Marian’s Mollie Pajakowski set the tone for the match as she served up six straight winners right off the bat.

Niles was able to cut the lead to 6-4 behind the serving of Ashley Allison and the net play of Ashley Love.

The Lady Vikings would get within a point at 9-8, but from there it was all Marian.

Mishawaka got four consecutive winners from Katie Mischler with the help of some solid spiking up front from Allie Sailor and Meredith Farkas.

With a 13-8 advantage, Sailor also found success serving the ball and the Lady Knights cruised to the 13-point victory.

The second set was a bit more competitive right from the get-go.

Although Marian led 5-2 early, Niles trimmed the lead down and get it close until Mishawaka was able to use the net play of Pajakowski and Farkas and the serving of Mischler to turn a 12-6 advantage into a 21-11 lead.

Marian continued to control the net and the service line in the third set, building a 19-9 advantage before Niles got hot late.

The Lady Vikings, however, were unable to put any real pressure on the Lady Knights.

Allison and Love finished with five kills each, while Allison also had eight digs and the team’s only ace.

Taylor Brandstatter also had eight digs with Brea Haines finishing with seven digs.

Devyn Roberts had one solo block and two assists, while Becca Lewis led the team in setting assists with 12.

“I’m not disappointed,” Martin said. “The speed they play at in Indiana far surpasses what we do here in Michigan. I felt we were still competitive and we never got out heads down. We just didn’t play with the intensity we should have.”