Grace College freshman Caylie Teel, a former star at Tippecanoe Valley High School, makes a pass Saturday during a 3-1 home win over St. Francis (Photo provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – After a slow start to the Crossroads League season, the Grace College volleyball team has found its stride after beating St. Francis 3-1 on Saturday.

The Lady Lancers (11-8, 3-4 CL) won their third consecutive match, recovering from an 0-1 deficit to beat the Cougars (3-11, 0-6 CL) at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

In the opening set, St. Francis held a slight three-point lead at 20-17 when Grace coach Katie Van Hofwegen called timeout. Her adjustments worked as Grace won three of the next four points to climb within one, forcing a timeout by the Cougars. Grace continued its momentum, scoring the next two points to bring about another USF timeout. The Cougars finally got the edge, however, taking four of the final five rallies to win 25-23.

Grace jumped out to an early advantage in the second set, leading 11-7. The Lady Lancers would not let its late lead slip this time, cruising to a 25-19 win to even the match.

The third set was a nailbiter with each team taking turns pulling ahead. The score was tied 22-22 when Grace seized control. Tori Bontrager pounded out a kill, and Taylor Baird followed that up with an ace. St. Francis held off one set point, but Kaitlin Kerrigan crushed the final kill to the back line to lift Grace to a 25-23 win.

Grace finished matters in the fourth set with a 25-20 victory. The Lady Lancers had their most explosive offensive set in the fourth, racking up 17 kills on just five errors in the game-clinching win.

Kelsee Zuidema had a season-high 19 kills on a .429 percentage to lead all players. Kerrigan tallied 11 kills on 28 attempts, and Sara Miller notched 19 digs.

Caylie Teel notched 13 digs, Sierra Smith added eight kills, and Naarah Foster finished with four kills and three block assists. Baird (23 assists) and Laken Chaney (22 assists) shared setting duties, and Kari Feddema chipped in four kills and three block assists.

The Lady Lancers continue league play next weekend with a pair of away contests. Grace will play at Huntington on Friday and at Marian on Saturday.