Volleyball 11/16/2021 12:00:00 AM

Trevecca Volleyball | Trojans Win and Advance at Great Midwest Championships; Semifinals Next

Box Score

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (19-10) pulled the upset in the quarterfinal round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships. The Trojans, the fifth seed, knocked off Walsh University, the fourth seed, in four sets at the Cavaliers Alumni Arena on Tuesday. Trevecca won 27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19.

Lydia Yonce produced 12 kills, the second most in her career. She had 15 during her sophomore year against Union.

Ellie Buffler equaled her season-high with 19 kills. She had 19 against Walsh in the quarterfinals last year, also in North Canton. This time the Trojans won 3-1; Walsh won 3-1 last year.

It is the fourth time this season Buffler hit 19 kills and the second consecutive match. In fact, she's collected 19 kills in three of the last five matches down the stretch. Her career-high is 23, set as a freshman. The junior has hit 20 or more kills three times in her career.

It is the first time the Trojans have advanced to the semifinals since 2015. The Trojans won the Great Midwest tournament that season and advanced to the 2015 NCAA Midwest Regional.

The 19 wins are the most for Trevecca since the 2015 team won 20 matches.

GAME ESSENTIALS

THE SERIES

The Trojans defeated Walsh, 3-2, in their last meeting in Nashville (10.22) during the regular season. It is the first time the Trojans have beaten Walsh in consecutive meetings. The Cavaliers hold a 6-3 edge in the all-time series. Trevecca defeated Walsh in their first-ever meeting in 2016, but the Cavs claimed the next four.

This is the third consecutive season the teams have met in the Great Midwest Quarterfinals; all three have been in North Canton. The Cavs won the two previous meetings.

MATCH DETAILS

As they did in all four sets, the Trojans scored the first point of the first set. Trevecca set the tone, leading 3-1 early. With Trevecca leading just 9-8, the Trojans outpointed the Cavaliers 7-2 and built a 16-10 advantage. The Cavs made it interesting with an 11-6 run that pulled them to within one at 22-21. But the Trojans never trailed during the set and held off the home team for a 27-25 win.

SET TWO

After the Trojans led early, the Cavs got their first match lead at 4-3 in the second. Then, the Cavs built a three-point advantage a couple of times before the Trojans regained the lead at 15-14. In fact, the Trojans never trailed again in the set and won 25-23.

SET THREE

The third set was the tightest of the match. Neither team gained more than a two-point advantage at any point in the set. It looked like Trevecca might sweep, leading 21-20. But the Cavs got the side out and pulled ahead 23-21, and held off the Trojans for a 25-22 win.

SET FOUR

The Trojans didn't let the momentum continue for the Cavs, building an early 11-4 lead. Trevecca extended the lead to 18-10, and the Trojans were on their way to the semifinals. The Cavs made a late push to add some tension, but they never cut the lead to less than four (21-17) at any point and the Trojans won by six (25-19).

TOP PLAYERS

In addition to 19 kills, Ellie Buffler hit .268 and had a double-double with 12 digs. The junior added two service aces.

Lydia Yonce also had a double-double with 12 kills and a team-high 15 digs. She hit .524 for the match with four blocks as well.

Claire Hindman added 12 digs and two service aces.

Sami Raley and Madison Martin each had eight kills. Raley also had four blocks.

Chloee McDaniel made it three Trojans with a double-double, collecting 42 assists and 14 digs.

THE TEAMS

The Trojans hit .221 for the match and topped out with a .268 attack percentage in the first.

UP NEXT

The Trojans advance to the semifinals of the 2021 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships. They face a tall task is No. 18 Hillsdale (Mich.) College awaits. The Chargers are 25-4 and the top seed and are hosting the final two legs of the Great Midwest championship.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

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