GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Despite fighting hard, the Trine University volleyball team fell to recently crowned conference champion Calvin 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18). The Thunder are now 18-10 on the year and 9-6 in the conference.

The Thunder fought hard in the opening set as they hung with the second ranked Knights. Trine trailed by three at 18-15, but rallied tie the set at 18 all. The Knights offense would be too strong in the end though as they scored eight of the final nine points.

Trine would hang with Calvin early in the second set, with the score tied 4-4. From there, the Knights would take an eight point lead at 18-10 before taking the final two points of the set.

It looked like Calvin would run away with the third set, taking an early 6-1 lead. The Thunder had other things in mind though as they would slowly claw their way back into the match, pulling within one at 17-16. Once again though the conference champion Knights would make a final push, scoring six of the final seven points.

Freshman Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) led Trine with nine kills to go along with six digs. Senior Betsy Irwin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander) finished her night with eight kills. Freshman Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) had a solid night, finishing with 10 digs and six kills.

Sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) led all players with 14 digs while dishing out a team-high 13 assists for her 18th double-double of the season and third straight game. Senior Sarah Radekin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander) added in 11 assists and eight digs.

The Thunder have already qualified for the MIAA tournament, but will wait to see if they will face Calvin or the team they will also face in their regular season finale, Hope, on October 26 at 6:30 p.m. The conference tournament begins on November 2 and will be hosted by Calvin.