KALAMAZOO, MICH.-- The Trine volleyball team earned a 3-2 victory over Kalamazoo in a toughly-contested match Saturday afternoon at Anderson Arena.

The Thunder and Hornets traded the first four sets, with Trine taking the first and third by 25-21 and 25-19 scores, and Kalamazoo earning 25-22 and 25-17 winners in the second and fourth sets. Trine faced a 6-1 deficit in the fifth set, but was able to rally back to earn their first conference win of the season. Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) notched a double-double, with 18 kills to lead the attack to go along with 11 digs. Mikayla Carpenter (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) set a new career-high with 31 digs to pace the defensive effort. Kalamazoo's attack was led by Kaela Van Til with 13 kills. The Thunder improve to 5-1 overall and even their MIAA record at 1-1. Kalamazoo falls to 4-2 overall, 0-2 in conference matches.

Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) and Megan Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) provided a spark offensively for Trine, as each notched a season-high nine kills. Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) set the Thunder attack with 43 assists, and added 11 digs and seven kills. Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) added eight kills and 13 digs.

Nya Greenstone and Paige Johnson each notched 10 kills for Kalamazoo. Greenstone added 14 digs for the double-double. Alex Gothard notched 39 assists and 11 digs. Logan Horejsi added a team-high 28 digs for the Hornets.

After the two teams split the first four sets, Kalamazoo appeared to seize control with a 6-1 start to the fifth set. The Thunder responded in a big way, rattling off nine-straight points with Lauren Verkamp holding serve. Verkamp notched two service aces during that stretch, with Rabel adding two kills and Searles and Deck each notching a kill.

The 10-6 advantage proved too much for Kalamazoo to overcome, as the Thunder came away with the 15-11 win in the final set.

Trine returns to action Wednesday, Sep. 10 at St. Mary's. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.