RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Playing four sets that were decided by no less than three points, Trinity battled but ultimately fell short on Wednesday night, falling on the road to Concordia (Ill.) 25-22, 28-30, 25-22, 26-24.

Alex Costa led the way for the Trolls (10-7), scoring 25 kills with three aces and four digs. Ryan Schmidt tallied 43 assists, while Nick Mioni recorded his first career double-double, with 12 kills and 12 digs.

Trinity held a late lead in the opening set, after Costa's kill made it a 20-18 score, but the Cougars (6-6) responded with six straight points to move in front, 24-20. Another kill and an ace from Costa extended the set but the home team took the opener 25-22.

The Trolls again led throughout most of the second set, and earned set point after a Cougar error at 24-22. Concordia rallied for three straight points to take a 25-24 lead, as both sides had multiple chances to take the game. Tied at 28-28, Costa scored a kill to give the Trolls their third set point, and another error on the next play would even the match at one set apiece.

An 8-0 run for the Cougars midway through game three earned an 18-12 lead for Concordia, and later in the game the Cougars would earn set point at 24-18 following a three-point rally. Three straight errors followed by another kill by Costa closed the gap at 24-22, but the deficit was too much to overcome for the Trolls, who fell on the next point, 25-22.

In the fourth, Concordia would score three straight to build a 16-13 advantage, and would remain in front until the Trolls rallied late with six in a row for a 23-20 lead. An attack error two plays later gave the Trolls set point at 24-21, but Concordia would respond with five in a row to steal the set and the match, 26-24.

The Trolls will look to bounce back on Thursday night, as they resume CCAC play with a trip to Trinity International. First serve from Deerfield is set for 7:00 p.m.