SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The University of Providence volleyball program fell 3-1 to #20 Marian in the first game of Pool Play at the NAIA National Tournament Thursday.

In the first set against the Knights (25-9) each side traded points until the Argos (26-7) scored five straight behind kills from juniors Bella Thompson and Bella Green to take a 9-4 lead. Marian slowly cut into the lead, bringing the match within three but kills by sophomore Cabry Taylor and junior Sadie Giles put UP in front 17-12. Despite Marian cutting the lead to two late, a kill from Green secured the first set for UP 25-22.

Marian jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in the second set, but the Argos responded with three straight points off kills from Green and sophomore Martyna Fiedler to bring the set within two. The Knights answered with a run of their own scoring ten straight as Marian took the second set 25-14.

The Knights got out to an 8-2 edge in the third set, but the Argos would slowly cut into the Marian advantage with kills from Giles and Fiedler making it 16-14. Both teams went back and forth the rest of the way, but the Knights scored four of the last six to take the third set 25-20.

Both teams traded runs to begin the fourth set culminating in a tie at 11. The Knights took control of the set, scoring seven of the next nine, and the Argos were unable to close the gap, falling in the fourth set 25-21, and the match 3-1.

The Argos are back in action tomorrow, Dec. 6 for their second matchup of Pool Play with #5 Bellevue. Game-time is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (MST) in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center.