NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (2-0) kicked off the 2022 season with a pair of wins Friday on the opening day of the season. The Trojans defeated Christian Brothers University (1-1) 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-19) and Carson-Newman University (1-1) 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-9).

THE SERIES

Historically speaking, the Trojans' sweep of the CBU was significant. The 57th meeting tilted Trevecca's way for just the fifth time ever. The Trojans have won two in a row in the series. Trevecca won last year's meeting, also in the Thrasher Classic. TNU has won three of the last five meetings, all in the NCAA era.    

The win over Carson-Newman makes it 11-4 in favor of the Eagles.

CBU MATCH

The Trojans scored early and often in the first, relying on the ever-present Emma Titus who collected three of her match-high nine kills in the opening seven points for the Trojans. Leading 13-8, the Trojans rallied off nine straight points to sink the Buccaneers into a 15-point hole (23-8). A pair of CBU attack errors handed the opener to the Trojans, 25-14.

After taking the first point, the Trojans surrendered their first lead in the second set. In fact, the Buccaneers led by as many as three points before the Trojans managed to tie the match at 11-11. On an 8-1 run is how Trevecca grabbed the second set, 25-17, to lead 2-0.

The third set saw Christian Brothers take a 1-0 lead, but that was it. The Trojans managed two separate runs of five or more points in the third to maintain separation, winning the match off three consecutive kills.

Emma Titus set the mood for the Trojans in the season opener with a team-best nine kills, hitting .643 to go with a pair of blocks and digs.

The Trojans hit .309 while collecting a total of 37 kills and eight service aces for the match.

CNU MATCH

The Trojans made a statement in the first set (25-18), outhitting the Eagles .136 (13-7) to .027 (8-7). With CNU leading 8-7, a Trojan side out made it 8-8. With Emma Green on serve the Trojans rolled off nine consecutive points to take a commanding 17-8 lead.

After the Trojans controlled the first set, the next three sets were tight with Carson-Newman taking the next two sets by an identical 25-23 score. Both sets presented opportunities for the Trojans to get the win, but the veteran Eagles held on for the wins.

The Trojans extended the match with a 25-22 win in set four. Neither team held more than a three-point advantage in the fourth set.

In the fifth set, Trevecca got out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed before finishing off the Eagles 15-9.

Trevecca is the only team undefeated in the Thrasher Classic and are 6-0 all-time in the event.

Ellie Buffler led the way with 17 kills and contributed eight digs and a block.

The Trojans hit .181 (56-24-171) while the Eagles hit .179 (57-27-168). The Trojans topped the Eagles 10-14 in service errors and had a 6-5 edge in service aces. Emma Titus turned in 13 kills and a .290 attack percentage. Emilee McDonald had 42 assists and three service aces. Maddie Wilds had 20 digs. Katie Crutchfield had three aces and 14 digs.

UP NEXT

The Trojans close out the Ray Thrasher Classic tomorrow when they host Lincoln Memorial University (1-1) at 3 p.m. and then finish off the two-day, six-team tournament with the nightcap against the University of Alabama in Huntsville (1-1) at 7 p.m. Links for live stats and live streaming video are available on the Trojans schedule page at tnutrojans.com

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