POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. --- The Trinity International University volleyball team opened up play at the 2019 National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Tournament on Thursday afternoon. Having clinched their second consecutive berth to the national tournament, the Trojans, seeded second overall and first in their group for pool play, looked to kick off the appearance on the national stage with a bang as they opened up pool play against the Sea Beggars of Providence Christian.
 
The Sea Beggars, the seven-seed in the tournament, came to play early as both teams traded offensive blows. While Sara Andric and Kierra Koepke helps spearhead the TIU attack, the Trojans ran into a number of attacking errors as Providence Christian edged TIU in the opening set, 26-24.
 
The Trojans struggled in the second as they were held to a .091 attack percentage in the set. Providence Christian would out block TIU 5-2 on the match as they held the Trojans to just 14 points in the second. In the third, despite a furious rally late, the Sea Beggars were able to hold off the Trojans en route to a three-set sweep in the opening match of the tournament.
 
Koepke would lead all Trojans with eight kills. Skyler Muramoto notched 27 assists, while Penina Sao recorded 19 digs on defense.
 
After a few hours to re-energize, the Trojans were back in action, this time taking on the Eagles of Southwestern Christian. Where TIU struggled in their previous match, they quickly reversed to pick up a 3-0 sweep over the Eagles and even their tournament record at 1-1.
 
The Trojans, who struggled to block shots earlier in the day, blocked four Eagle attacks and held their opponents to zero blocks. After cruising to a 25-17 win in the first set, and a closer 25-19 win in the second, the stage was set for a battle in the third.
 
Southwestern Christian scored on consecutive Trojan match points to extend the set, and briefly took the lead. After tying the third at 25 all, TIU was able to force two Eagle errors to hang on to complete the sweep.
 
Matty Hawkins recorded 13 kills in the win, while Andric notched nine. Muramoto led TIU with 25 assists, while five Trojans, including Deb Kovalczuk, Koepke, Andric, Sao and Muramoto notched double-digit digs.
 
TIU returns to the floor on Friday morning at 10:00 AM as they take on the College of the Ozarks in their final pool play match. The Bobcats enter the match with Thursday afternoon wins over Southwestern Christian (3-0) and Providence Christian (3-1). 

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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.