Brian Markley
Associate Sports Editor

The Marauder Clash took place at Pucillo Gym this past weekend. The two-day tournament would be a good early season test for the Marauders on their home court. 

On day one of the Clash, the Marauders faced off against the Virginia Union Panthers. The match went to four sets, but Virginia Union was never a threat to the Marauders. The first two sets were completely one-sided in favor of the Marauders, winning set one 25-10 and set two 25-12.

A change in personal by coach Brian Smith allowed the Panthers to win the third set by a score of 25-22, forcing a fourth set. The Marauders would then secure the match with a crushing 25-5 win in set four, giving them a win in the first match of the tournament.

Millersville would then face their toughest test of the tournament, the Fairmount State Fighting Falcons. The second match on day one of the Clash was much more competitive. The Marauders struggled with the height of the Falcons as they recorded nine blocks in the opening set, which was won by the Falcons by a score of 25-20.

The Marauders would come back and win sets two and three by a score of 25-22 and 25-21. Fairmount State would even the match with a win in set four by a score of 25-22. Millersville would keep their home winning streak alive and win the match with a narrow 15-12 victory in the final set of the match.

Senior Jayci Suseland would total 18 kills in the match and possessed a .229 hitting percentage. Junior Lindsey Blevins tallied 15 kills and 13 digs, giving her a double-double in the match. 

Millersville went a perfect 2-0 on day one of the Marauder Clash and were in prime position going into the final day of the tournament.     

In the first match of day two, the Marauders swept the Roberts Redhawks, going 25-14 in set one, 25-9 in set two and closing out the match with a 25-15 set three win. The Marauders posted an impressive .361 hit percentage and 43 kills. 

The Marauders held the Redhawks to only 20 kills. Suseland was responsible for 12 of the Marauders’ 43 kills and didn’t record an error on any of her 14 attacks. Freshman Rebecca Dalstad also contributed mightily to the Marauders win, recording 15 digs and four aces, both career highs. 

Millersville then faced the Chestnut Hill Griffins in the second match of day two, and the result was the same as the first match. The Marauders were tested more in the second match, but they refused to lose in their home tournament. 

Millersville won set one 25-10, but they had to keep a relentless Griffins team at bay in sets two and three. Set two went to the home team by a narrow margin, the score of the set being 26-24. Set three was also close, but the Marauders completed the sweep with a 25-20 win in set three, crowning them champions of The Marauder Clash. 

Freshman Carly Baughman posted a career-high in kills with 13 in 19 attacks. Suseland recorded 12 kills on 19 attacks with only one error. 

Senior setter Katie Laughman was named co-MVP of the tournament, posting an average 41.5 assists and 9 digs over the duration of the tournament. 

The Marauders are 6-3 on the season and will resume play on Friday, September 20th at Dominican College to face off against the Chargers.