SURPRISE, Ariz. --- The Trinity International University women's volleyball team wrapped up their three-match road trip of Arizona on Saturday afternoon as they took on the Spirit of Ottawa University (AZ). Coming off two tough losses last night against Park (AZ) and Arizona Chrisitan, the Trojans looked to bounce back with a better performance against a tough OUAZ team that began the season receiving votes in the NAIA preseason top 25 poll.

The Trojans would kick things off with a hotly contested opening set, rallying back from down 17-10 to tie the set at 19. Unfortunately, the Spirit would prevail on a pair of TIU attack errors to win the opening frame, 26-24.

It would be all OUAZ the rest of the way as the Spirit's attack would dominate the final two sets with 16 kills in the second, and 15 in the third. While Trinity was able to improve some of their attack errors from the night prior, the Trojans were unable to match the fire power of Ottawa, dropping the second set 25-15, and the third 25-18 to drop their third consecutive match.

Madison Williams, Matty Hawkins, and Brianna Torres each led the TIU offense with five kills each, while Williams, Torres, and defensive specialist Jaylyn Freeman all notched one service ace. Setter Anna Skrzypchak recorded 23 assists, as Freeman led the Trojans with 13 digs on defense.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Saturday's match was the first all-time meeting between TIU and Ottawa (AZ).

• With Saturday's loss, Trinity has lost three consecutive matches for the first time since the start of the 2019 season, when the Trojans dropped four straight.

• Matty Hawkins' lone block assist against the Spirit was the 187th of her career, passing Jessica McWilliams (2006-07) for fourth on the program's all-time block assists list. 

• Hawkins' two total blocks also breaks a tie with McWilliams and Hawkins for third on the all-time blocking list at TIU. Hawkins is also two blocks away from becoming the third TIU player to reach 300 career blocks.

• With her five kills against OUAZ, Brianna Torres passed Rebecca Campbell for fifth on the program's all-time kill list with 1,154.

• Anna Skrzpchak's 23 assists today moved her past Suzanne Knudtson (2013-15) for eighth on the team's all-time assist list with 860.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-5) will return to action on Tuesday night as they return to Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play as they host the Wolves of Cardinal Stritch in their home opener. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm CST at Van Dixhorn Arena, with the game being streamed 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.