JOLIET, Ill. – Trinity opened the conference season on Thursday night, as the Trolls battled but came up short at St. Francis, falling in straight sets 25-22, 25-15, 25-21.

Sarah Neighbors led the Trolls (1-5, 0-1 CCAC) with six kills on the night, while freshman Alexis Bartz anchored the defense with 13 digs to go along with nine assists.

In the opening set, a four-point run for the home team put the Trolls behind 18-13, but later in the set kills from Sharide Sykes and Neighbors helped fuel a 6-1 run that pulled Trinity to within one, 22-21. The Saints (1-4, 1-0 CCAC) would close out the set with three of the last four points to take the opener.

Brooke Veldman led the way in the second set with four kills, but the Trolls were unable to make much of a run. A kill from Taryn Hinken evened the score at 8-8 but the Saints would score ten of the next 12 to take a second set victory.

Trinity took an early 4-3 lead in the third set, but St. Francis recorded a 6-2 run to move back in front. Kills from Raimey Owens, Bartz, and Dej'a Williams along with a Jorieliss Caraballo ace made it a one-point game at 15-14, but the Trolls were unable to pull even down the stretch.

The Trolls will look to bounce back on Saturday, when they compete against Cornerstone (Mich.) and No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan in a tri-match in Marion, Ind.