PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – After having last season abruptly cut short last March, the Trinity Christian College men's volleyball team has been itching to get back on the hardwood. After nearly 10 months, the Trolls hosted Goshen College (Ind.) on Wednesday, Jan. 14 to kick off the 2021 season. Despite falling in straight sets – 25-22, 27-25, 25-22, only eight total points separated the two teams in the end.

Rookie Ryan Schmidt made a name for himself on opening night, finishing with 29 assists. His "go-to" target being Ben Gabor, a graduate transfer from Saint Xavier University (Ill.). Gabor ended the night with 14 kills in 39 attempts, with just three errors (.282). He also added three digs and two block assists. Djordje Novakoic added eight kills, while Jake Ostema and Mike Hay finished with six and five, respectively.

The Trolls (0-1, 0-0) open Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play on Tuesday, Jan. 26, traveling to St. Ambrose University (Iowa). The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.