Trojan volleyball scores two wins at Chicago State Classic
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Box Score 4 CHICAGO, Ill. - In just their third weekend of the season, the Trinity International volleyball squad surpassed their win total from last season, going 2-2 at the Chicago State Cougar Classic. The Trojans picked up victories over Purdue-North Central and Indiana-Northwest, while falling to Mount Mercy (Iowa) and NCAA Division I hosts, Chicago State.
Freshman
Mickayla Staal led the Trojans with an average of 2.14 kills per set during the four matches, while senior
Samantha Stoller contributed 2.07 kills per set to the offense. In the opening match of the tournament, the Trojans quickly went ahead two sets to none over the PNC Panthers, winning 25-21 and 25-14 respectively. Purdue-North Central rebounded for a 25-20 win to extend the match, and held a 16-10 lead in game four before TIU scored six straight to tie the score, and eventually closed out the win with six of the final seven points.
Lexie Voss finished with a team high 13 kills on 23 attempts, while
Gabrielle LaMonaca collected 17 digs in the win.
In the second game of the night on Friday, the Trojans battled Mount Mercy to a 1-1 tie through two sets, before falling in two close games, 25-23, 25-20. TIU had doubled-up the Mustangs, 14-7 in the third set, but an 8-3 run for Mount Mercy turned the momentum around to claim the win. MMU then outscored the Trojans 10-5 over the final 15 points in the fourth and final set to take the match. Stoller finished the match with 11 kills to lead TIU, along with three solo blocks. LaMonaca anchored the back line again, with 14 kills, followed closely by freshman
Becca Kowalczuk, with 13 digs.
To kick off the second day of the tourney on Saturday morning, the Trojans took a decisive three-set win over Indiana-Northwest, 25-18, 25-10, 25-14. Staal finished in double figures again, leading the team with 12 kills. Voss posted five total blocks in the win, while LaMonaca reached double figures in digs for the sixth straight match, recording 13 in the win.
The Trojans closed out the tournament with their toughest opponent of the weekend, taking on Division I foe Chicago State. TIU were unable to keep pace, falling the the Cougars in straight sets, 25-20, 25-15, 25-15. Stoller and
Julie Gregornik finished with five kills apiece to lead the Trojans, while Voss picked up four blocks in the match.
With a 2-2 mark during the tournament, the Trojans improve their record to 8-5, surpassing their win total of seven from last season. Trinity will now enter the heart of the CCAC schedule, beginning with a trip to St. Xavier in their next match. TIU will face off against the Cougars on Tuesday, September 16, starting at 7:00 p.m.
