PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – In a key match up to the Trolls' postseason plans, Trinity Volleyball picked up an important win on Thursday night, defeating Indiana South Bend in straight sets inside DeVos Gymnasium.
The win gives the Trolls sole possession of the final spot of the CCAC Women's Volleyball Tournament with three matches left to play, as Trinity secured its third straight-set win in conference play this season.
The visiting Titans opened the first set with an early lead, before a five-point run capped with a block from Mackenzie Ritsema and
Dej'a Williams put Trinity ahead 6-4. South Bend would hold the lead until a pair of Williams kills highlighted a 5-1 run that put the Trolls back in front, 22-18. With a three-point rally to close out the set, the Trolls secured the opener, 25-22.
Game two saw the visitors again take an early lead before the Trolls responded. Back-to-back aces from
Makenzi Bennett put Trinity ahead for the first time at 9-7, but the score would remain close as both sides would trade the lead throughout the set of the set.
Aolani Cannon's kill gave Trinity set point at 24-23 before the Titans tied the game on the next point. A South Bend service error followed by
Jorieliss Caraballo's ace secured the win for the Trolls, 26-24. The Trolls took control of the match in game three, opening on an 8-1 run that included three aces from
Raimey Owens. Another five-point rally extended the lead after
Sharide Sykes' kill at 17-8.
The Trolls would end the night on a six-point run, winning the set 25-11, matching the team's second-largest set win of the year. Ritsema led the Trolls with eight kills in the win to go along with five total blocks for eleven points on the night. Sykes picked up six kills with a .400 attack percentage, along with 20 assists and eight digs. Bennett registered 10 digs to lead the defense, as well as a pair of service aces.
The Trolls will look to secure their postseason spot next week, when they travel to St. Francis on Tuesday, Oct. 29. First serve with the Saints is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
