Hanna Leach rises up to pound down a kill against Taylor Wednesday evening. (Photo provided by Sam Baker)

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s volleyball team picked up its third straight Crossroads League win courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Taylor on Wednesday.

The Lady Lancers were paced in a dynamic performance from freshman Katie Swanson. The Warsaw Tiger graduate produced 14 kills to lead all players.

Alexa Hill directed Grace’s attack, racking up a double-double of 42 assists and 18 digs to go along with three kills and three aces.

Every set except the fourth was a nailbiter at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center. The Trojans (12-9, 3-2 CL) were in front for much of the first set, claiming a 20-16 lead.

But Grace ripped off seven straight points, sparked by two kills from Gabbey Harrington and an ace by Emily Sharp.

Taylor responded with two points to cut Grace’s lead to 23-22, but a kill from Makayla Bell helped the Lady Lancers to a 25-22 win.

The Trojans got revenge in the second set. Taylor won by the identical score 25-22 to even the match.

The teams could hardly be separated in the third set. Grace pulled ahead slightly 23-20, but a timeout from Taylor helped the Trojans tie the game with a 3-0 spurt.

From there, the score was tied 23-23, 24-24, 25-25 and 26-26 as each team made plays to stave off set point. Finally, the Lady Lancers ended the set 28-26 with a kill from Corynne Aelker and an ace by Sharp.

Grace opened up a quick 8-3 lead in the fourth set, and the Lady Lancers never let up. Grace ended the match on a 12-5 surge to win by 10 and clinch the match.

Aelker and Harrington each tallied eight kills, and Bell added six kills and five digs. Autumn Deshetsky served up four aces off the bench, and Sharp had 11 digs and two aces.

The Lady Lancers are at home twice more this week. Grace hosts Spring Arbor on Friday at 7 p.m. and St. Francis on Saturday at 3 p.m.