OLIVET, Mich. – Trine hit better than .400 in all three sets they won as the Thunder took a five setter from the Olivet Comets on Saturday afternoon inside the Cutler Event Center. Kevin Boncaro, Carter Steffgen, and Ethan McLenon combined for 49 kills in the win. Trine is 14-7 (4-2 MCVL) and is in good position for a fifth consecutive MCVL Tournament berth. The Thunder hold a 1.5 game lead over fifth place Wabash and own the head-to-head tiebreaker. The top four teams earn a spot in the tournament.
 
Set one featured seven ties and five lead changes before Olivet used a 4-0 run to take an 11-7 lead they would not relinquish. Trine came within three, three times, but Olivet close the set with consecutive kills to win 25-20.
 
Trine scored eight of their first 11 points in the second set via kill or block. Steffgen had two kills, Boncaro had three, the duo teamed up for a block and Steffgen added a solo block. Olivet narrowed the Thunder lead to 14-10. Boncaro had three kills and Johnson-Kuhao Ho'okano-Pelekai had two as Trine pulled away with a 9-2 run for a 25-15 set two win.
 
Set three was tight again with eight ties and four lead changes. Boncaro killed a Trine rally to tie the set at 12. That sparked a 12-2 run for Trine. McClenon and Ryan McDonald each two kills and teamed up for a block as Trine ran away with the set.
 
Set four saw four lead changes, Trine led for most of the set. Boncaro had seven kills and McLenon had four, but Olivet scored the final two to break a 23-all tie to force a fifth set.
 
Trine set the tone in the fifth set, taking a 9-0 lead and cruising to a 15-8 win behind nine kills and a .412 hitting percentage.
 
The Thunder close out the regular season at home next weekend. Hosting Mount St. Joseph on Friday and Wittenberg on Saturday.