BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University volleyball team played host to the Saint Francis Fighting Saints on Tuesday night in the quarterfinal round of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament. After finishing fourth in the league standings, TIU hosted their first CCAC Tournament match at Van Dixhorn Arena as they took on the Saints for the third time this season, both matches ending in five-set victories for the Trojans.

From the opening serve to the final play, both TIU and USF battled with intensity. This was evident in the opening set as neither team would budge in giving the other  the chance to open a wide lead. Ultimately, it was the Saints who broke through, claiming the first frame 30-28.

The Trojans responded with a strong second set, as Sara Andric, Madeline Decker, and Matty Hawkins sparked the TIU offense down the stretch en route to a 26-24 win. With the match even at a set-a-piece, the Saints opened up a 6-0 run in the third to put TIU into an early deficit. Despite a furious comeback attempt, the Trojans were unable to complete the third set comeback, falling 25-22.

Facing elimination in the fourth set, the TIU defense led by Penina Sao in the backcourt extended a number of points to give the Trojan offense more opportunities for an attack. Their patience paid off as TIU rattled off four straight points to win the set 25-23, all while being two points away from their tournament run being ended.

In the decisive fifth set, the Trojans, like they have done all season long in five set matches, stood firm and gave up little ground. With the help of Megan Re, Deb Kovalczuk, and a series of Saint errors, TIU was able to complete the comeback on the night, winning the final set 15-9. The Trojans are now 8-0 this season in five set matches, setting the program record for most five set wins, previously set at seven from the 2009 season.  

Andric led the Trojan offense with 21 kills, followed by Kierra Koepke with 14, and Kovalczuk with 13. Sao notched 36 digs on defense, while Skyler Muramoto recorded 58 assists on the night.

TIU returns to action on Thursday, November 14 in the semifinal round of the CCAC Tournament as they visit top-seeded Trinity Christian in Palos Heights. The Trolls won both regular season meetings during conference play. First serve is set for 7:00PM.

Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.