ELGIN, Ill. --- 413 days after taking the floor in their last match, the TIU women's volleyball team began the delayed 2020 season on Friday night on day one of the two day TIU/Judson Crossover. Out of the gate, the Trojans would face off against a formidable William Penn Statesmen team, who had already played a number of matches in the fall, as well as the Phoenix of Cumberland University (Tenn.)

Trinity stood firm against a seasoned William Penn team, challenging the Statesmen in each set. TIU jumped out to an early 13-6 lead in the opening set before the Statesmen rallied back to win 25-21. In the second frame, both teams traded points, but WPU was able to seal the set with a Peyton Foster kill and two Trojan errors.The Trojans nearly forced a fourth set as they took a 24-23 lead in the third on a Matty Hawkins kill, but the Statesmen were able to score the final three points to hand Trinity the 3-0 loss, 21-25, 19-25, 24-26.

Brianna Torres, coming off injury last season, led TIU with 11 kills in the season opener. Anna Skrzypchak notched 26 assists and a service ace. Defensively, junior transfer Jaylyn Freeman led Trinity with 16 digs.

Additional Match Notes

• With the loss, the Trojans fall to 0-2 all-time against William Penn. The Statesmen won the only other meeting of the series back on Sept. 8, 2018 by a 3-2 score.

• TIU is 2-8 in their last ten season openers after today's opening match.

• William Penn out-blocked TIU by a 17-5 margin in the loss.

• The Trojans committed 25 attack errors, while the Statesmen committed just nine in the match.

• Brianna Torres led TIU with 11.0 points in the match.
   

In their second match of the afternoon, the Trojans rebounded in an impressive five set battle. TIU jumped out to another quick lead in the first set, securing their first set win of the season on a Madeline Decker kill. After a strong first frame, the Trinity offense struggled in the second with six attacking errors as Cumberland held on late to tie the match. The Trojans continued to struggle in the third with only seven kills, dropping their second consecutive set, but rebounding in the fourth with a revitalized offense and attack errors by the Phoenix. Trinity brought all their firepower to the decisive final frame, closing the fifth set out on a 5-2 run to clinch their first win of the season, three sets to two (25-12, 23-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-9).

Torres again led the Trojans with 15 kills, plus four service aces. Skrypchak notched 43 assists in the win with Freeman recording 33 digs.
 

Additional Match Notes

• TIU takes a 1-0 all-time series lead in the first ever meeting between the Trojans and Phoenix.

• Trinity has won their last 13 matches that have gone to five sets, a streak dating back to Oct. 6, 2018 against Governors State.

• The Trojans improved their attack percentage from their loss earlier in the day with a .196 hitting percentage. TIU's attack percentage against William Penn was only .069.

• TIU earned 11 free points on 11 Cumberland service errors.

• Brianna Torres led TIU with 19.0 points in the match.

• With 65 total attack attempts in both matches today, Brianna Torres moved into sixth all-time in career attack attempts in program history.

NEXT UP

TIU will return to action tomorrow afternoon in their home opener as they host the second day of the TIU/Judson Crossover at Van Dixhorn Arena. First serve is scheduled for 3:00pm CT and can be watched live on the Trojan Sports Network.

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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.