MVB Huddle
0
Trinity International Trin 0-1
3
Winner Wis. Lutheran WLC 3-3,0-0 NACC
Trinity International Trin
0-1
0
Final
3
Wis. Lutheran WLC
3-3,0-0 NACC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Trinity International Trin 15 16 12 (0)
Wis. Lutheran WLC 25 25 25 (3)
1
Trinity International Trin 0-2
3
Winner Rockford Rock 3-2,0-0 NACC
Trinity International Trin
0-2
1
Final
3
Rockford Rock
3-2,0-0 NACC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Trinity International Trin 17 13 25 16 (1)
Rockford Rock 25 25 14 25 (3)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | | Ethan Oskroba

Trojans continue to break new ground, get first set win in tourney debut

ROCKFORD, IL— The Trojan men weren't able to achieve their ultimate goal of recording their first victory in over two decades, but they continued their steady progress, forging onward with their first set win of the season despite dropping a twinbill in the Rockford Triangular.

The Trojans set their sights on the west and voyaged to Rockford, where they were greeted by a solid opponent in Wisconsin Lutheran. Trinity lagged behind early but managed to stay within striking distance throughout the middle portion of the opening frame. Matthew Perry led the way for the Trojans, matching his total of four kills in Trinity's season-opening defeat at the hands of Cardinal Stritch in the first set alone. The Trojans put together a respectable offensive effort, but they eventually ran out of firepower, conceding the set by a 25-15 tally.

The second set saw Trinity race out to a fast start, with the Trojans riding a balanced attack to an early 8-7 lead. However, the Trojans surrendered seven consecutive points and 10 of the next 11 to fall behind for good, and despite a scrappy resistance that saw four different Trojans record kills and five different players factor in on scoring plays, the second set belonged to Wisconsin Lutheran in a 25-16 final.

With their backs to the wall, the Trojans struggled to ignite their attack, suffering through an inefficient sequence that saw them give up a daunting 14-2 advantage to their rivals from the north. Trinity showed their heart by pulling back five consecutive scores in the waning moments, but despite another late kill from standout attacker Paul Martinez, the Trojans ran out of time, dropping the set, 25-12, and the match, three sets to none.

It didn't get much easier for the road warriors in the nightcap, as Trinity was confronted with the host school, Rockford University. The Trojans got off to a strong start, lurching ahead, 5-4, before embarking on a see-saw middle portion of the set. The Trojans enjoyed a wide range of contributions, getting kills from four different players, but fell behind and couldn't close the gap despite a late surge, dropping the set 25-17.

The Trojans came out of the gate a step slow in the following stanza, coming up short on the first four sequences and nine of the opening 11 to stumble into a deep hole. Matthew Perry was the star of the show for the blue-and-white, recording two kills and a solo block, but the Trojans came up short by a 25-13 score.

The Trojans were not to be denied as the third set rolled around, seizing the momentum with a string of four straight points including yet another Perry finisher and a service ace by Jaret Wiler to stake out a 4-2 edge. The opposing squads swapped the lead for a spell before the Trojans detonated for 14 of the next 15 scores, including a string of nine in a row, to close in on their first set victory since 2015. Perry led the way with three kills in the set, with Martinez (2) and crafty setter Losinger (2) also chipping in. Already harboring a dominant lead, the Trojans finished the deal with super sub Wiler notching his second ace to close out the set, giving the Trojans another historic moment via a landmark 25-14 set win.

What proved to be the final set of the afternoon wasn't as kind to the Trojans, but they didn't go down without a fight. After trailing by nine early on, Trinity matched their opponent score for score but eventually the clock struck midnight, with Rockford nailing down a 25-16 set triumph to conclude matters. Losinger was gallant in defeat, notching a remarkable three kills from the setter position, rounding out his stat line with a service ace and a trio of helpers.

While Saturday's showcase didn't see a major breakthrough for the Trojans (0-3), they nonetheless continued to prove that they fit right in against quality competition and claimed their first set victory. With that accomplishment checked off, they'll now set their sights on earning a trip to the winner's circle for the first time since 2001 when they make the trek to Davenport, Iowa, to square off with conference rival St. Ambrose on Tuesday, January 31.
 
 
 
TIU Trojans
     
TIU Men's Volleyball

 
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