WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Trine University women's volleyball team earned another split on the final day of the Pam Briggs Invitational this morning at Otterbein College. The Thunder fell to the host Cardinals, who are receiving votes in this week's AVCA Coaches' Poll. Trine (3-4) then defeated Washington and Jefferson in the second game.
Elli Baker led Trine with 31 kills on the day, including 17 in the first match. Trine took the first set 25-23 from their nationally recognized hosts. OC then took the final three sets 25-19, 28-26, 25-21.
Trine erased an early lead with an 8-1 run powered by two kills and some excellent defense. The Thunder pulled away to a 14-9 lead with a 4-0 run with kills from
Adelaide Elden,
Addyson Kuzma, and
Julia Maggio. Otterbein rallied to tie the set at 20 with a 5-0 run. Maggio and
Jordan Budzinski put the set in hand with a pair of kills and an ace, respectively.
Addyson Kuzma,
Reese Steenwyk,
Bailey Rasawehr, Elden, and Baker each recorded multiple kills in the second set as Trine continued to apply pressure to the hosts. The Cardinals would score the final three points to even the match at one set each.
Baker notched eight kills in the third set and guided Trine to a 24-21 lead. The Cardinals forced six consecutive set points before taking the set 28-26. Otterbein rode the momentum in the final set, opening up a big lead early and holding off the Thunder late to take the win.
The Thunder responded well in the second game, taking a five set match against the Presidents. The teams traded runs early in the first set, W&J led for most of the set but Trine stayed alive with kills from five different players.
Alexis Dreher and Maggio kept Trine alive by forcing extra set points before the Presidents took set one 25-23.
W&J again led for most of the second set, and ultimately held a 24-22 advantage. Three consecutive kills from Baker,
Ambreeya Peoples, and Steenwyk gave the Thunder a 25-24 lead before an error gave Trine the win.
The teams then traded blows, each winning a set 25-14 to force a decisive fifth set. W&J set the tone early with a 6-3 lead and then powered to an 11-6 lead. The Thunder clawed back, again spreading the ball around to a multitude of hitters. Kuzma and Baker each pounded two points home to tie the set at 14. Baker then added three more swings to power Trine to an 18-16 win and take the match.
Trine opens their home slate on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. against Manchester University.
