ELGIN, Ill. – The Trolls opened the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon with a pair of matches at the Linder Fitness Center on the campus of Judson University, falling in four sets to Grand View (Iowa) and Avila (Mo.)

Trinity (0-2) would take the first set against the Vikings (1-0) 25-18, but would drop the next three, 25-13, 26-24, 25-14. The Trolls took the opener behind a 7–0 service burst from Alexis Bartz that broke a 15–15 tie—her run included three aces and pushed the set to 22–15 before Trinity closed it out, 25–18.

Sharide Sykes paced the offense with 18 assists and added two aces, while Dej'a Williams led the attack with eight kills and chipped in three total blocks (2 solo). Raimey Owens and Sarah Neighbors added seven kills apiece.

In the second game of the day, Trinity extended the match with a 29–27 win in the third set, but Avila closed it out in four behind a heavy serving day. The Trolls' front line turned in a big effort: Williams posted a team-high 11 kills and 6.0 total blocks (5 solo), while Sykes matched her with 11 kills, handed out 23 assists, and served three aces. Neighbors added nine kills and 14 digs, and Makenzie Ritsema put down six kills with three solo blocks. Libero Jorieliss Caraballo led the back row with 15 digs. As a team, Trinity collected 11.0 blocks, but Avila's pressure from the line, scoring 13 aces on the day, proved decisive.

The Trolls will look to bounce back on Friday, August 29, when they travel to Siena Heights (Mich.) for a match beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT.