ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University volleyball team claimed a convincing sweep of the Manchester University Spartans on Tuesday night inside Hershey Hall. The Thunder (4-4) hit .265 including a .324 mark in set three to beat the Spartans (5-2).
Elli Baker led a balanced offensive attack with 10 kills.
Trine took the match 25-21, 25-17, 25-23. Trine tallied seven aces and nine blocks in the match.
Bailey Rasawehr led the defense with five blocks and
Cali Stevons dished out 18 assists in the win.
Trailing 12-8 in the first set, the Thunder offense found it's groove.
Addyson Kuzma pounded a kill and was followed up by an ace from
Julia Maggio. Another kill-ace combo pulled Trine within one, this time with Kuzma on the serve. After surrendering a point, the Thunder followed a kill from Baker with a perfect serve from
Annika Schrock. A 7-3 run to end the set gave the Thunder a one set advantage.
Reese Steenwyk and Kuzma set the tone early in set two with a swing each. Manchester responded and ultimately tied the set at 15. It was all Thunder from there, Baker and
Adelaide Elden each recorded a kill, then Elden teamed up with Rasawehr to stuff the Spartans. The final five points came on offense to give Trine the 2-0 lead.
Trine looked set to pull away in the final frame as they took an 11-3 lead.
Ambreeya Peoples added two aces and Rasawehr rose up for a solo block. The guests proved stubborn and rallied to take a 20-19 lead. Determined to preserve the sweep, the Thunder took advantage of a pair of errors, notched a final ace, and then pummeled three final kills to take the match.
The Thunder head to northeast Ohio this weekend for the Crimson and Gold Quad, hosted by Oberlin College. First serve is set for noon as Trine takes on the host Yeos.
