HOLLAND, Mich. - The Trine University volleyball team fought their hearts out against the 14th ranked Hope College, but in the end they fell 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-20). The Thunder are now 11-10 on the season and 5-5 in the conference.

The opening set saw Hope take an early 4-1 lead, but the Thunder battled their way back tying the game at 6-6. Trine took their first lead of the game after the Thunder notched three straight points to lead 11-10. Trine extended their lead to two points at 14-12 on back-to-back kills by junior Betsy Irwin (Athens, Ohio/Alexander). From there the Flying Dutch would re-take the lead after rattling off five straight points. Trine would again battle back as they scored three straight points to tie the game at 20 all. After both sides traded points, Hope took the match when they scored three straight points near the end of the match.

The second set saw Hope start the game with four straight points and not look back. Trine would score six of seven points to pull within four but from there the Flying Dutch would tally 10 of the last 14 points to take the set.

The final set saw the Thunder score the first three points, but Hope would rally back to score the next six points to take the lead. Trine would score four of the next six points to pull within two. From there Hope took six of the next nine points to push their lead to seven. The Thunder tried to rally back scoring several late rallied but the lead was too much to overcome.

Irwin led Trine with eight kills along with a game-high two blocks. Freshman Jordan Bell (Coldwater, Mich./Bronson) had a solid afternoon with six kills and six digs. Fellow freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) came up big on offense and defense with five kills and 11 digs. Senior Julie Kooienga (Hamilton, Mich./Hamilton) also added in five kills.

Junior Sarah Radekin (Athens, Ohio/Alexander) had an all-around solid afternoon with 23 assists to go along with seven digs and three kills. Sophomore Darcy Crabtree (Gaston, Ind./Wes-Del) led all players with a game-high 19 digs.

Trine will host Adrian College for their annual Dig For the Cure night starting at 6:30 p.m.