Volleyball 10/15/2021 12:00:00 AM

Trevecca Volleyball | Trojans get First Win at Midwest Crossover; Split Opening Day

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

HAMMOND, Ind. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (12-8, 4-5 Great Midwest) opened with a win in their first of two matches on Friday at the Midwest Crossover. It is the first-ever win at the Midwest Crossover for the Purple and White, sweeping the University of Southern Indiana (11-7, 5-4 GLVC). Lindenwood University (11-6, 5-2 GLVC) took out the Trojans 3-0 in the second match.

Trevecca plays its final match at the Crossover Saturday at 12:45 PM.

The 3-0 - 25-23, 25-15, 25-21 - sweep of the University of Southern Indiana produced more set wins than the Trojans produced in their first nine matches previously at the historic event. Trevecca is 1-10 all-time at the Midwest Crossover, having won just two sets in the previous nine matches.

Trevecca History at Midwest Crossover

2016-17 = 0-3 / Losses: 3-2, 3-0, 3-0

2018-19 = 0-3 / Losses: 3-0, 3-0, 3-0

2019-20 = 0-3 / Losses: 3-0, 3-0, 3-0

2021-22 = 1-1 / Win: 3-0, lost 0-3

GAME ESSENTIALS

G-MAC Standings | Stats | G-MAC Scores | Div. II Scores | Record Book

THE SERIES

USI: Through six all-time matches, the series is level at 3-3 with the Trojans claiming the last two meetings.

LU: Lindenwood has taken the only three meetings with the Trojans. The last prior to today was October 17, 2009.

MATCH DETAILS

USI: Led by Ellie Buffler's four kills, the Trojans received the 25-23 set win. Buffler started and finished things for the Trojans with a pair of kills in the first. In between, though, there were seven ties and seven lead changes. The Trojans rattled off four straight points with the set tied at 16-16 to force a Screaming Eagles timeout, but the damage was already done.

LU: Trevecca led 5-2 early and despite Lindenwood tying the match several times the Trojans did not trail till the midway point of the set. Trailing 13-10, Lindenwood rallied to take a 16-13 lead with a 6-0 run. The Lions held the lead until the Trojans tied the set 23-23. LU broke serve and won the set on a Trojan attack error. Both teams hit well, with the Trojans hitting .375 and Lindenwood .429.

SET TWO

USI: The Trojans jumped to an early 4-1 and 7-2 lead in the second and did not look back. In the second, it was Sami Raley who collected four kills as Chloee McDaniel and Buffler flanked the senior with three apiece. The Trojans kept the Screaming Eagles out of rhythm thwarting their attacks and always answering at the net. The Trojans convincingly won the second, 25-15.

LU: Trevecca opened with a 6-2 lead but a 5-0 run for the Lions put them ahead 7-6. Though Trevecca never regained the advantage, they tied the match at 19-19. The Lions outpointed the Trojans 6-2 for the win. Both teams cooled on the attack, the Lions hit .243 and the Trojans .107 in the second.

SET THREE

USI: With two sets in hand, the Trojans finished off the Screaming Eagles in the third behind four kills from Buffler and Raley each. The third saw the Trojans lead from the start as an 11-3 lead proved to be enough. Though the Screaming Eagles did not go as quietly as they would in the second, in the end, Lydia Yonce finished off the match with a kill.

LU: Trevecca scored the first on serve, but the Lions reversed the trend of the first two sets, pulling ahead 5-1. Trevecca rallied this time, taking a 9-7 advantage again with an 8-2 run. With Trevecca leading 10-8, Lindenwood turned the set and match in their favor with an impressive 7-0 run for a 15-10 edge. The Trojans regained composure for a 4-1 rally, but the Lions had another run in them. This time the Lions produced an 11-0 run for a 25-14 win. The Lions hit .235 to the Trojans .088.

TOP PLAYERS

USI: Austyn Baldwin was a force throughout the entire court. She hit a team-best .556 (5K, 0E, 9TA) with three digs and three block assists.

LU: No Trojan reached double figures in kills, but Ellie Buffer led the way with nine (.200 attack percentage). Austyn Baldwin hit .353 with eight kills. Chloee McDaniel had 23 assists, six kills, three digs, and one service ace.

THE TEAMS

USI: The Trojans hit .354 (37K, 9E, 88TA) which included an impressive .417 mark in the second set. Trevecca had 34 assists, 51 digs and five service aces.

LU: Trevecca hit .191 for the match. Despite the 3-0 sweep, it was a very tight match until the final 11 points of the third set. Lindenwood hit .313 for the set, but the hitting percentage was close until those final two runs by the Lions.

UP NEXT

The Trojans finish the Midwest Region Crossover with a matchup against the University of Indianapolis (10-9, 6-3 GLVC). First serve against the Greyhounds is set for 12:45.

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