BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- The TIU women's volleyball team returned to Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play on Tuesday night as they took on the Tigers of Olivet Nazarene University at McHie Arena. Coming off three consecutive losses in straight sets over the weekend, the Trojans looked to right the ship in a return to CCAC play against one of the league's top teams.

Trinity jumped out to a fast start in the opening set with a 6-1 run. The Trojans would post arguably their best performance against a conference opponent all season with very few errors and their attacking offense firing on all cylinders. After winning the first 25-16, TIU again posted a strong performance against the Tigers, forcing ONU into eight attack errors and defending the net en route to a 25-20 win in the second frame. 

Olivet Nazarene would give the Trojans a challenge in the third set, but Trinity would rally from as many as five points down before flipping the script and taking a lead at 13-12. With excellent play setup and 12 third set kils, TIU would hold off the Tigers late to take the third set 25-22, and complete a crucial conference sweepm 3-0.

Matty Hawkins led Trinity with 14 kills and five total blocks in the win, while Brianna Torres posted ten kills, with eight from Grace Mauersberger. Anna Skrzypchak notched 33 assists, while Lana Vujosevic recorded 23 digs on defense.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Tuesday's win was TIU third all-time against Olivet Nazarene. The Tigers still lead the series 13-3.

• Trinity's victory marked the first time they have ever beaten ONU on the road. The Trojans entered the night 0-7 all-time playing against the Tigers at McHie Arena.

• TIU's win marked the first time they have ever beaten Olivet Nazarene in straight sets. 

• Tuesday night marked the first time Trinity has won consecutive matches against ONU. The Trojans beat the Tigers in a five-set thriller at home last spring.

• With her 14 kills tonight, Matty Hawkins picked up her 994th career kill, putting her just six shy of becoming the eighth member of the program's 1,000 career kill club.

• Brianna Torres recorded her 140th career service ace on Tuesday, tying her with Taylor Arseneau (2008-11) for third most all-time in TIU women's volleyball history.

• Lana Vujosevic's 23 digs set a new career-high for the sophomore outside hitter. The Bar, Montenegro native's previous career-high was 21 digs, recorded in a Sept. 24, 2019 match against Trinity International when previously playing for Governors State University.

• Senior outside hitter Grace Mauersberger notched her 750th career kill on Tuesday night. She also notched her 250th kill as a Trojan as part of an eight kill performance against the Tigers.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (12-11) return to action on Thursday, October 14 as they travel to Whiting, Indiana to take on the Crimson Wave of Calumet St. Joseph in conference play. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm CST at the Rittenmeyer Center, and can be watched LIVE on the CCSJ 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.