CHICAGO, Ill. --- The TIU women's volleyball team took the trip to southern Chicago on Tuesday night as they visited the Cougars of Saint Xavier University in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. Coming off a three-set sweep at Calumet St. Joseph last Thursday, the Trojans would face a big challenge against an SXU team sitting just a half game out of first place in the league and receiving votes in the NAIA top 25 poll.

After a quick 3-0 start in the opening set, Trinity would be forced into seven attack errors as the Cougars offense rolled to a commanding 25-11 win. In the second set, TIU's offense improved, but couldn't keep up with SXU, who did not commit a single attack error. 

The Trojans would struggle to establish a strong presence to block at the net, falling 25-19 in the second frame. TIU's third set proved to be their best of the night. Using a 9-4 run late in the frame, the Trojans pulled within one point of the Cougars, but would be unable to close things out as Saint Xavier closed out the match and the three-set sweep of TIU.

Brianna Torres would lead the Trojan offense with 11 kills, while Grace Mauersberger notched ten kills. Setter Anna Skrzypchak recorded 25 assists, as Jaylyn Freeman notched 12 digs on defense.Lana Vujosevic dominated the night at the service line with five aces in the loss.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• The Trojans fall to 3-19 all-time against Saint Xavier with their loss tonight.

• Trinity and SXU both dominated at the service line with eight total service aces each.

• The Cougars out-blocked TIU 4-0 on Tuesday night. It is the first time this season the Trojans have not recorded a block in a match.

• After tonight's match, the Trojans are tied with St. Francis (IL) for fifth in the CCAC standings with six matches to go. The top eight teams in the league with qualify for the conference tournament, with the top four programs hosting first round matches.

• Brianna Torres broke her tie with Taylor Arseneau (2008-11) for TIU career service aces with 142, now sitting third all-time in program history. Torres now sits six aces behind Chrissy Mast (2004-05) for second on the all-time aces list.

• Lana Vujosevic tied her career-high for service aces with five against the Cougars. It is the sixth time she has posted five aces in a match, and the second time doing so this season as a Trojan. Vujosevic previously played for Governors State University in 2019.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (13-12) return to action on Friday night as they host the Trolls of Trinity Christian College in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm CST at Van Dixhorn Arena, and can be watched LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network. Fans are encouraged to wear tye-dye outfits as part of the TIU Student Government's Tye-Dye theme.
 

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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.