CHICAGO, Ill. - Trinity International would take the opening set by a narrow margin, but weren't able to carry that momentum through the rest of the night, as the Trojans fell to the host St. Xavier Cougars 25-23, 17-25, 14-25, 11-25 on Tuesday night.

Box Score | Season Stats

Gabby Miller would lead the Trojans (9-22, 3-10 CCAC) with eight kills on the night, with four different players averaging more than 1.5 kills per set. Ashlyn Spay finished with seven kills and a team-leading 12 digs, while Piper Thompson finished with 22 assists.

Trailing 5-3 early in the first set, the Trojans used an 8-2 run fueled by kills from four different players along with an Alida Knudtson service ace, to move in front 11-7. St. Xavier (20-15, 11-3 CCAC) would work their way back into the lead at 21-20, but three straight kills from Miller were part of a four-point run that gave Trinity set point at 24-21. 

Trinity looked poised to take a two-set lead after going in front 8-4 to start the second game. The Cougars responded by taking 13 of the next 15 points to claim a 17-10 advantage. A small 6-3 rally would close the gap but the Trojans would run out of time as the home team tied the match at one set apiece.

Unable to hold serve in the third set, Trinity scored back-to-back points just once as St. Xavier took a 25-14 win and a 2-1 lead in the match. In the fourth, Trinity recorded just four kills as St. Xavier ended the night with a 25-11 win.

The Trojans will now head to Elgin this weekend, to compete in the second CCAC Crossover. TIU will face Purdue-Northwest and St. Francis on Friday, October 28, then Calumet St. Joseph and Trinity Christian on Saturday, October. 29.