Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 LIVONIA, Mich. - Trinity International volleyball got the first victory of 2016 under their belt, earning a win over the host Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines on Friday night, before falling to No. 17 Madonna (Mich.) and Spring Arbor (Mich.) on Saturday.

The Trojans (1-5) secured a straight-set victory over the Wolverines, winning three tight sets 25-23, 25-17, 25-21 to open the weekend. In the second match of the night, Trinity suffered a straight-set loss to Concordia (Mich.), 25-18, 25-23, 25-18.

Saturday morning, the Trojans opened play with their first match against a nationally-ranked opponent, in the No. 17 Crusaders. Taking advantage of a couple hitting errors in the opening set, the Trojans fought to a one-point deficit midway through the game, 10-9. Madonna answered with a five-point run, leading the rest of the way to claim a first-set victory.

Kills from Ashlyn Spay and Gabby Miller helped Trinity claim an early 3-2 lead, before a 7-2 run in favor of the Trojans saw that advantage climb to 12-10. The Crusaders responded again, running off ten straight and going on to a two-set lead in the match. Ten of the first 13 points of the third set went Madonna's way, leading to the 3-0 final score.

Spay led the Trojans with 10 kills in the opening match, while Becca Kowalczuk recorded 10 digs. Alida Knudtson recorded four block assists against the Crusaders, while freshman setter Kayla Jacks posted 22 assists.

Against Spring Arbor in the second match of the day, the Trojans looked to rally and claim a first-set win, after a pair of SAU errors and a kill from Spay made it a 19-16 Cougar lead. Four kills over the final stretch, including two from Lexie Voss kept Trinity in it, but Spring Arbor would take a 25-20 win to open the match.

After falling in set two, 25-8, the Trojans rallied with four straight points to tie set three at 16-16, thanks to a kill and two service aces from Gabby Miller. Spring Arbor responded with eight of the next nine points, however, to go on and earn the straight-set win.

Miller recorded a team-high six kills in the match, while Spay earned 12 digs against the Cougars.

The Trojans will now return to Deerfield and prepare for their home opener, this Friday, September 2, when they face Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.), beginning at 7:30 p.m.