DEERFIELD, Ill. - In the first day of the CCAC Crossover, the host Trinity International Trojans split a pair of matches on their home court, falling in straight sets to Olivet Nazarene before recovering for a four-set victory over Calumet St. Joseph, 25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 26-24.
Box Scores: ONU | CCSJThe Trojans (3-15, 2-11 CCAC) earned the victory thanks to a solid defensive effort from
Becca Kowalczuk and
Marissa Boelter, who each recorded a season-high 21 digs in the match.
Suzanne Knudtson picked up a double-double with 19 digs to go along with her 38 assists.
Three players finished in double figures, led by
Mickayla Staal's 18 kills, while
Alida Knudtson recorded 12 and
Gabby Miller finished with 10.
After trailing throughout the fourth set, Calumet St. Joseph (6-26, 0-14 CCAC) rallied with a 5-1 run to tie the score at 24-24 and threaten to force a decisive fifth set. Back to back kills from Staal and
Alida Knudtson shut the door however, giving Trinity their first win of the weekend.
Earlier in the day, the Trojans fell to Olivet Nazarene (17-14, 12-1 CCAC) by scores of 25-12, 25-23, 25-11.
Alida Knudtson recorded a team-high seven kills in the match, while freshman
Taylor Weinberger picked up 10 digs to lead the Trojans.
In the second set, TIU held a 16-14 lead following an ace from Miller and a Tiger hitting error. Olivet responded with the next four points to claim an 18-16 edge. The Trojans never fell behind by more than two points the rest of the game, and a block from Miller and Staal tied the score late at 23-23. ONU took the set with kills on the next two plays to take a two-set advantage before clinching the win.
The Trojans are back at it early tomorrow morning, when they host Trinity Christian for a 9:30 a.m. start. TIU will then face Purdue-Calumet at noon. The full slate of games can be found on the
CCAC Crossover schedule page.
