DEERFIELD, Ill. — Last night the Trojans took their home court for a night of celebration as they honored two of their graduating seniors. The excitement of the evening drew the first set result in their favor, but the momentum wouldn't carry through as they fell behind the next three sets to the visiting Sabercats of Maranatha Baptist University.

Before the service, the Trojans took a few moments to recognize two graduating seniors: Soren Halvorson and Parker Lundberg.  Escorted by loved ones, each of the men were presented with flowers and a framed TIU jersey, while their contributions and impact on the program were announced to the crowd.

From the start, the Trojans and Sabercats battled it out as the score remained within a point or two in the opening moments. Trinity went on a short four point run with a pair of kills from freshman setter Ethan Losinger as he sneakily slipped a couple passes over the net. The tug of war continued throughout, with TIU holding their largest lead at 17-13 following a couple of MBU miscues. Soren Halvorson and Laziah McDaniels added back to back kills to keep the Trojans in front before a short 1-5 burst from the Sabercats to draw the score even. McDaniels recorded a third kill for the set, alongside the same by Matthew Perry to earn a two point advantage and force set point. Propelled by the enthusiasm of the occasion, the Trojans took their second victorious set of the season.

Trinity trailed early in the second set after the Sabercats leapt ahead 2-8. The Trojans called for time and regrouped, matching the Sabercats step for step in the following eight points. McDaniels added to his kill count, landing two more while Jaylen Thompson and Losinger added one each. A slew of errors by MBU brought the Trojans within four points at 10-14 but the foes quickly regrouped and continued to forge ahead. TIU grabbed back to back points with a Thompson kill and Havlorson ace just before the Sabercats sped off on their final run of the game, claiming set two 15-25.

Set three began with a much tighter race as the Trojans tightened the loose screws from the previous set and honed their attack. Notching six kills, the Trojans hit at .211% - their highest of the contest. The Sabercats held the advantage throughout the early game until TIU knotted the score at 14-14. Back to back kills from McDaniels and a service ace from Perry gave the Trojans a two point lead before MBU overtook them again. Even again at 20-20, the Trojans battled to the end but couldn't put up a stop to the Sabercat attack and fell by two points.

In the final set, Maranatha jumped out to a 4-10 lead. A three point run for the Trojans clawed back some of the deficit but it proved futile as the Sabercats again burst forward on a 2-10 run to put the game almost entirely out of reach. Benefiting from a few service errors, the Trojans fought on but a kill from Thompson would be their final point before MBU sealed their victory 14-25.

Laziah McDaniels led the Trojan offense with nine kills, alongside Jaylen Thompson with eight and Matthew Perry notching seven. Parker Lundberg and Ethan Losinger covered the floor defensively with nine digs a piece, while Losinger dished out 21 assists for a new career-best.

The Trojans(0-17)  return home for their final game of the season next week, Thursday, March 23 for a conference clash with the Eagles of Judson University.    

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TIU Men's Volleyball