WINONA LAKE, Ind. --- The TIU women's volleyball team wrapped up play at the 2021 Lancer Classic on Saturday morning as they faced the Phoenix of Cumberland University (TN) in non-conference play. Coming of consecutive losses on Friday night, the Trojans looked to close out the weekend on a positive note.
TIU's offense would turn a corner after a tough performance a night earlier against Grace and Marian, but would have trouble keeping up with that of the Phoenix, who bolted out to 22 wins this season. Cumberland dominated the opening set 25-11 and the morning with seven service aces, putting the Trojans into large deficits early.
Trinity would drop the second set by a score of 25-17 to fall behind 2-0 in the match before challenging the Phoenix in the third. TIU held the lead for the majority of the third set, but a 6-0 Cumberland run late would put the Phoenix back into contention. CU would ultimately score four of the final five points, taking the third frame 28-26 and handing the Trojans the 3-0 loss.
Matty Hawkins led TIU with 13 kills and three blocks in the loss, with Brianna Torres posting nine kills. Anna Skrzypchak recorded 33 assists, as Lana Vujosevic led the way with 13 digs on defense for Trinity.
Â
ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES
-
With their loss to the Phoenix, the all-time series between TIU and Cumberland is now tied at one win a piece. The Trojans won the inaugural meeting between the programs last spring.
-
Cumberland posted seven service aces to Trinity's three in the loss.
-
Saturday marked the first time since September 2016 that the Trojans have lost three consecutive matches in straight sets.Â
-
TIU falls to 9-6 in three-set matches this season.
-
With her three block assists on Saturday, Matty Hawkins tied Samanatha Stoller (2011-14) for third on the program's all-time block assists list with 212.
-
Lana Vujosevic's 13 digs give her 500 on her college career, and 204 as a Trojan. The Bar, Montenegro native recorded 302 digs during her freshman season at Governors State in 2019.
Â
UP NEXT
The Trojans (11-11) return to action on Tuesday, October 12 as they take on the Tigers of Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm CST at McHie Arena, and can be watched LIVE on the Tiger Sports Network.
Â
Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU women's volleyball news and updates.
Follow the Trojans online and on social media!
   Facebook - Trinity International Athletics   Trinity International Women's Volleyball
   Twitter - @TIUVolleyball  @TIUTrojans
   Instagram - TIU Athletics  @tiuvolleyball
   Snapchat - @TIUtrojans
   YouTube - TIU Athletics
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.
Â
