POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Last Thursday afternoon the Trinity International University volleyball team opened up play at the 2021 National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Tournament. Competing in three matches of pool play, the Trojans ultimately ended their tournament run 1-2, after losing in a tiebreaker match . 

Entering the tournament as the sixth seed, the Trojans sought to advance to the semi-final round, improving upon their results from back-to-back trips in the 2018 and 2019 NCCAA National Tournament; they missed last year's championship only because of schedule changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first round of pool play the Trojans faced the third ranked Rams of Columbia International. The match's first set found the teams trading off points with multiple lead changes before the Rams ultimately ran away with it, scoring five of the last seven points. 

The Trojans fought back in the second set and held off for a 29-27 victory where Brianna Torres had 5 kills and Anna Skrzypchak gave 8 assists. In set three, CIU turned it up a notch and dominated the floor with a 25-14 win.  Set four the Trojans kept it close again but it was not enough to push for set five as they lost 25-21.

Despite the loss, the Trojans had four players earn double digit digs: Lana Vujosevic (10), Jaylyn Freeman (13), Anna Skrzypchak (10), and Brianna Torres (11). Senior outside hitter, Brianna Torres also posted 13 kills earning herself a double-double against the Rams.

Trinity - Leaders:
    Kills: Brianna Torres (13), Matty Hawkins (10), Lana Vujosevic (8)
    Aces: Jaylyn Freeman (1), Madeline Trippett (1), Anna Skrzypchak (1)
    Blocks: Matty Hawkins (5.0), Lana Vujosevic (2.0), Madison Williams (1.0)
    Assists: Anna Skrzypchak (31), Jaylyn Freeman (6), Lana Vujosevic (2)
    Digs: Jaylyn Freeman (13), Brianna Torres (11), Lana Vujosevic (10)


Early Friday morning, the second round of pool play brought the Trojans face to face with the Tigers of Campbellsville University.  

The Tigers came out strong, conceding only six errors in their first set against the Trojans, winning 25-14. Starting the second set, Trinity took the lead 7-3 before Campbellsville clawed back and then ahead to win 25-18. With their backs against the wall, set three saw the Trojans come alive, forcing 17 ties and 6 lead changes before overcoming the Tigers 29-27. 

As the fourth set began, Trinity continued the offensive pressure with 15 kills by Brianna Torres (5), Matty Hawkins (5) and Grace Mauersberger (2). Trinity extended the match to the fifth set with a 25-22 win. With momentum on their side, the Trojans refused to let up as they raced the Tigers for the final 15 points.  Hitting .500% in the fifth set, Trinity completed their comeback with a 15-7 victory and finalized the upset of #2 Campbellsville after a thrilling five sets.

Against Campbellsville, the Trojans saw some impressive statistics, including three players with double-doubles: Anna Skrzypchak with 56 assists and 10 digs, Brianna Torres with 21 kills and 20 digs, and Lana Vujosevic with 13 kills and 14 digs.

Trinity - Leaders:
    Kills: Brianna Torres (21), Matty Hawkins (15), Lana Vujosevic (13)
    Aces: Jaylyn Freeman (2), Anna Skrzypchak (2), Lana Vujosevic (1)
    Blocks: Matty Hawkins (2.0), Grace Mauersberger (2.0), Madison Williams (1.0)
    Assists: Anna Skrzypchak (56), Madison Feagans (4), Jaylyn Freeman (2)
    Digs: Jaylyn Freeman (31), Brianna Torres (20), Emma Gallegos (15)


In the final match of pool play on Friday afternoon, the Trojans faced off against the Bobcats of College of the Ozarks. 

Carrying over the momentum from the morning's victory, the Trojans came out strong with a 25-18 win over the Bobcats in a near dominating fashion as they scored 14-5 to begin the set. While Trinity hit the first point of set two, the Bobcats wouldn't be so easily overrun again and fought back and forth for the lead. Ultimately, a six point run would pull the Bobcats ahead and clinch them the second set. 

With the score even at 1-1, Trinity battled to regain momentum and looked as if they would secure the go ahead set as they led College of the Ozarks 23-14. But, the Bobcats dug deep and point by point crept up behind the Trojans before finally taking set three 25-23. Needing to win the set to continue their championship dreams, Trinity started to feel the pressure. Despite keeping the score close throughout the set, the Trojans were unable to regain the lead and ultimately fell 25-19 against the Bobcats.

Trinity - Leaders:
    Kills: Matty Hawkins (19), Brianna Torres (14), Grace Mauersberger (10)
    Aces: Lana Vujosevic (1), Jaylyn Freeman (1), Madeline Trippett (1)
    Blocks: Matty Hawkins (3.0), Lana Vujosevic (1.0), Madison Williams (1.0)
    Assists: Anna Skrzypchak (46), Jaylyn Freeman (4), Brianna Torres (2)
    Digs: Lana Vujosevic (18), Jaylyn Freeman (17), Brianna Torres (15)


With match three of pool play completed, the Trojans found themselves in a three-way tie with Campbellsville and College of the Ozarks to advance to the semi-final round.  Campbellsville was granted the bye because of their higher seed, and history would repeat itself as Trinity would face College of the Ozarks in a single set to 25 like they did in the 2019 NCCAA National Tournament. The winner then faced Campbellsville, whose winner moved on to the semi-final round on Saturday.

Still feeling the sting of their loss moments before,  Trinity came out hard to redeem themselves with a 7-4 start to the set.  The Trojans led 23-19 but the Bobcats wouldn't relent and after a timeout they were able to regroup and close the gap 23-22. Trinity called a timeout to regain composure and clinch the match but it wouldn't be enough; College of the Ozark made the final push and ended the set, 26-24.

Trinity - Leaders:
    Kills: Brianna Torres (5), Lana Vujosevic (4), Grace Mauersberger (3)
    Aces: Brianna Torres (1)
    Blocks: Matty Hawkins (2.0), Lana Vujosevic (0.0), Jaylyn Freeman (0.0)
    Assists: Anna Skrzypchak (11), Jaylyn Freeman (1), Emma Gallegos (1)
    Digs: Jaylyn Freeman (9), Lana Vujosevic (5), Anna Skrzypchak (4)


The tiebreaker loss brings their season to an end as TIU finishes the year 21-18, a season which included Coach Luke Ward's 100th career win.