BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU women's volleyball team kicked off postseason action on Tuesday night as they faced the Cardinal Stritch Wolves in the quarterfinal round of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Tournament at Van Dixhorn Arena. After splitting the Wolves in their two regular season meetings, the Trojans looked to make their mark in the match-up that counted most, looking to continue their season towards an NAIA postseason berth.

Cardinal Stritch brought the energy earlier, not being afraid to attack at the net. Both teams would jockey for the lead midway through the first set, but it would be the Wolves who would led the entire frame. Despite a furious comeback that saw Trinity pull within two points after trailing by six, CSU took the opening set 25-22.

In the second, the Trojans would come out of the break on fire with six of the first seven points. However, much as they would do throughout the night, the Wolves took advantage of a number of key TIU errors and climbed their way back into contention. With the second frame extending into extra points, TIU would rally late and close the set out on an Emma Gallegos service ace to take the frame 30-28.

Trinity would jump out to another early lead in the third set, only to see the Wolves storm back and take the lead. On a night where CSU was dominant at the service line, TIU wouldn't be able to complete a late push, dropping the third set 25-23. In the fourth, the Cardinal Stritch offense rolled with force with ten kills. CSU's ability to defend the net well helped in their early lead, which they would ride to a 25-20 win in the frame, and handing TIU the 3-1 loss in the match to end the season for the Trojans.

Brianna Torres led Trinity with 19 kills in the loss, while Grace Mauersberger notched 14 kills, plus 11 from Matty Hawkins. Anna Skrzypchak recorded 47 assists and a match-high 23 digs. Hawkins also notched six total blocks in the loss.

Additional Match Notes

• With tonight's loss, TIU falls to 8-18 all-time against the Wolves.

• The loss marks the first time the Trojans have not made at least the CCAC Tournament semifinal round. 

• The Trojans unblocked Cardinal Stritch 10-7 in the loss.

• The Wolves notched ten service aces, to TIU's three on the night.

• Anna Skrzypchak set two new career-highs in the loss. The most assists in a four-set match (47) and total digs in a match (23).

• Matty Hawkins set a new career-high with six total blocks in Tuesday's match.

• With five solo blocks against CSU, Hawkins moved her past Bryne Eaton (2008-10) for the third most solo blocks in program history (107).

The Trojans end the 2020-21 season with an overall record of 17-9, and a 13-4 mark against CCAC opponents. 

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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.