HAMMOND, Ind. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (16-8, 8-3 Great Midwest) swept the University of Indianapolis (11-10, 4-3 GLVC) 25-19, 25-22, 25-15 on Saturday afternoon to conclude the Midwest Region Crossover. 

THE SERIES

With the win, the Trojans improve to 2-1 versus the Greyhounds after beating UIndy in consecutive seasons at the Midwest Region Crossover.

THE FLOW

The Trojans lead from the start of the first set, securing an early 4-1 lead. Trevecca turned its 6-4 lead into a 10-4 advantage forcing UIndy to call its first timeout. The next break was called by Trevecca after the Greyhounds climbed back within three at 15-12, but it was all Trojans from there. Sami Raley smacked down one of her five kills of the day to lock in a 25-19 first-set win.

The second set saw the Trojans struggle a bit in the early stages. UIndy built a four-point lead for the first of three times at 11-7. With the set tied at 18-18, back-to-back points for Trevecca forced the Greyhounds to call for time. Out of the break UIndy tied it up at 20-20, but the Trojans and Maddie Wilds finished off the set for the Trojans, 25-22 with a kill.

Trevecca flexed its muscles in the third taking the first point and pushing out to a 10-3 lead. The Greyhounds could only get within four the rest of the way. The Trojans used three different 4-0 runs to put the third out of reach. Ellie Buffler put the finishing touches on the final set with a kill, 25-16.

THE NOTES

Today was a special match for Ellie Buffler who moved into second all-time (NAIA/NCAA) in career service aces as a Trojan. She was already the NCAA leader with 165 before today's match and now has 172 career service aces. She had 54 aces on the season heading into today's match, which breaks her own NCAA Record of 49 in a season. The record is now 63. She passed Brittney Ray who had 159 during her career which was all in the NAIA Era. For service aces, Buffler sits behind only Natalie Pifer (248).

Also this weekend, Buffler moved into third all-time (NAIA/NCAA) in kills. She is second in the NCAA Era. She had 1,214 before today's match and now has 1,238. She passed Kristin Johnson for third overall and for second in NCAA Era. Michelle Arend Plummer (1369) and Katelyn Atkinson (1705) are the only Trojans ahead of her.

Today, Buffler had 12 kills and seven service aces. Her seven service aces is a game-high for her career. Her previous high was six, she did that in two different matches as a freshman.  

UP NEXT

The Trojans return to conference play next weekend when they host Great Midwest-leading Ashland University (19-5, 12-0 Great Midwest) next Friday night at 6:00 p.m.

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