PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trinity volleyball opened the home conference schedule in style on Tuesday night, as the Trolls earned a straight-set sweep over Indiana South Bend, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 inside DeVos Gymnasium.
Sarah Neighbors led the way for the Trolls (2-7, 1-1 CCAC), picking up 14 kills and 15 digs in the win. Freshman setter Alexis Bartz tallied 32 assists along with a pair of service aces, while Shannon Simpson posted a team-high 17 digs on the night.
Trinity battled through an opening set that saw three lead changes, as the home team fell behind after an early lead, 11-7 following a 6-1 run for the Titans (1-8, 1-1 CCAC). Trailing 19-16 later in the set, a solo block from Taryn Hinken and an ace from Simpson started a run of nine straight points for Trinity, closing out the set with a 25-19 win.
Despite five ties in the second set, the Trolls never trailed, and would lead by as much as four after kills from Dej'a Williams and Hinken put Trinity ahead 12-8. South bend would rally to even the score at 18-18, but the Trolls went on another late run, scoring six of the final seven points of the set to take a 25-18 decision.
Midway through the third, Trinity would score a 7-1 run to lead 13-9, with a rally that included aces from Lauryn Yonker and Bartz. The Titans bounced back, looking to extend the match, and would claim the lead at 16-14 following a six-point rally. Kills from Brooke Veldmand and Raimey Owens pulled the Trolls even, and Trinity would take over late in the set again, scoring six of the last seven to close out the match with a 25-20 win.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak against Indiana South Bend, with Trinity's last victory over the Titans coming in March 2021 before tonight.
The Trolls will look to keep the momentum rolling over the weekend, as they compete at the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial hosted by Taylor (Ind.). Trinity faces Madonna (Mich.) and Indiana Kokomo on Friday, September 8, before taking on Indiana East and Great Lakes Christian (Mich.) the following Saturday.
