BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU women's volleyball team welcomed the Concordia-Ann Arbor Cardinals to Van Dixhorn Arena on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference match-up. Coming off a 3-0 loss at Trinity Christian last weekend, the Trojans looked to bounce back at home.

TIU dominated the first set, capitalizing off of seven Cardinal errors. After CUAA pulled within four points, the Trojans surged ahead using a 5-0 run backed by a pair of Madeline Decker kills before closing out the opening frame 25-14. Trinity would jump out to an early lead in the second set, but struggled to counter Concordia's attack. CUAA's Kayla Miller and Madlayn Lisman would power the Cardinals to success on Abigail Austin's attack setup to a narrow 25-22 set victory.

The Trojans responded in the third set after a slow start with three consecutive kills by Jazmin Coronado and Hawkins. TIU would tie the frame at 14 on a Brianna Torres kill before engaging in a back-and-forth duel for momentum, which the Trojans would ultimately win, thanks to 13 total kills in the set. Despite a fourth set filled with errors, Trinity's offense would get a much needed boost on an 11-4 run to begin the frame, aided by renewed focus on their ball attack. Despite a late push by the Cardinals, TIU carried their momentum to the end of the set, securing the frame by a 25-20 score, and the match, three sets to one.

Hawkins would end the afternoon leading Trinity with 18 kills and six total blocks in the win, while Anna Skrzypchak and Skyler Muramoto combined for 39 total assists. Reigning CCAC Defender of the Week notched 22 digs, while Torres also recorded 19 digs on defense.

Additional Match Notes

• With today's win, the Trojans take a 2-1 series all-time against Concordia-Ann Arbor. TIU's other win against the Cardinals came in October 2019 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

• Trinity's 5-3 start ties their best start through eight matches in the Luke Ward era (2015-pres.). The 2018 Trojans also started the season winning five of their first eight matches.

• The Trojans dominated defense at the net, unblocking the Cardinals 8-3, which included a pair of solo blocks from Matty Hawkins.

• Matty Hawkins' six total blocks against CUAA moved her into sixth place all-time on the program's career blocking list (228), surpassing Kaite Wilson (2008-11).

NEXT UP

TIU (5-3) will return to action on Monday, February 22 as they host the Cardinal Stritch Wolves in CCAC play at Van Dixhorn Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm CT and can be followed 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.