Milwaukee, Wis. - Trinity Christian College men's volleyball (18-11, 7-6 CCAC) had a tall task in the CCAC Quarterfinals on Tuesday night. The Trolls went up to Wisconsin to take on a Cardinal Stritch (9-14, 7-6 CCAC) team that upended the Trolls in five sets earlier this year. 

It took a swift three sets to blow past the Wolves, 25-19, 25-17, 26-24. The attack was led by sophomores Alex Costa and Mike Hay. Costa went for 12 kills, while Hay added 10. Senior Jake Ostema also had nine kills and three service aces.

Cardinal Stritch trailed 16-15 in the first set. Sophomore Nick Mioni brought the hammer to earn the kill and a 17-15 lead for Trinity. Right after, Costa and Ostema teamed up for a block and denied the hopes of Stritch fans. Trinity led 18-15. 

The Trolls eventually took the first set in style. Hay posted the final kill of set one and the Trolls won 25-19.

In set two, an 8-2 run to open the set gave the Trolls all the momentum. Trinity remained in control and Hay, along with freshman Matt Kentner, earned a block to make it 24-15. Hay went for seven blocks on the night and six were block-assists. Trinity won the set, 25-17, and it was a Hay attack to finish it off.

The final set of the night brought plenty of drama. Cardinal Stritch took a 24-23 lead and Ostema responded with a kill to tie the score at 24. Hay and Mioni teamed up for a block to give Trinity a 25-24 lead. Costa called game with the final kill of the night and the Trolls earned the three-set sweep. 

NOTES & NUMBERS: 

• Hay was a menace both offensively and defensively. He had an attack percentage of .833% (10-0-12).
• Sophomore Ryan Schmidt handled the volleyball like a pro. He had 34 assists to lead the way for the Trolls. 
• Mioni led Trinity in digs with six. He also had five kills and three block-assists.
• Trinity held an attack percentage of .368% as a team. 

UP NEXT: Trinity will prepare for the CCAC Semifinals at #1 seed Saint Xavier University (24-9, 13-0 CCAC). First serve on Friday, April 1st is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. If the Trolls pull off the upset, they will play on Saturday, April 2nd for the CCAC Championship.