CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (7-11, 4-3 GSC) dropped a five-set heart breaker at Lee University (10-9, 4-3) in what was a key early match in the Gulf South Standings.
Both teams came into the match higher in the standings than the preseason coaches' poll ranked them. Lee, picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll, came in a game behind the Trojans who were picked to finish sixth.
Lee won 22-25, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23, 7-15 to tie the Trojans in the fourth position in the standings. The top four teams in the league get a buy in the postseason tournament.
THE SERIES
Trevecca concluded its four-match road trip playing one of the most familiar foes in the new conference. Trevecca and Lee have played 45 times with the Flames leading the series 36-9.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trojans opened the first set on a roll, leading 8-3. Lee rallied though, going on an 11-3 run to take a 14-11 advantage and never trailed again. Trevecca tied the set a few times but couldn't push through for the lead.
Lee returned the favor with a 8-2 start to the second set. Lee eventually pulled ahead 21-10 and settled for a 25-15 win.
The lead swapped a few times early in the third set, a must win set for the Trojans. Then Lee looked to be in control, leading 10-5. Trevecca came alive, taking a 15-11 lead on a 10-1 run. Trevecca built a 19-13 lead and extended the match with a 25-18 win.
The fourth set presented another must win set for the Trojans. Like the third, the set was close until Trevecca scored four straight to take a 10-6 advantage. Trevecca built a five-point lead on a couple of occasions, including holding a 14-9 lead. Lee tied the set a couple of times, including at 17-17. Trevecca scored the next six points for a 23-17 lead. Lee rallied again, but the Trojans held them off for a 25-23 win.
Lee used the late momentum of the fourth set to control the fifth set. Lee led 7-1 and never really let the Trojans get in the set. Lee won 15-7.
THE TEAM
Lee outhit Trevecca .250 to .205 and had 10 aces to the Trojans six. Trevecca had the edge in blocks, 12-10.
THE PLAYERS
The loss spoiled a good night by several Trojans. Four Trojans reached double-digits in kills.
Mackenzie O'Loughlin led the way with a big night. She had 12 kills, a .290 attack percentage, three service aces, and eight blocks.
Elizabeth Wells (11 Kills / .286%), Emma Titus (11 / .348%) and Payne Reese (10 / .292) all hit double digits in kills as well.
Skias Hainline set for 42 assists and had the double-double with 11 digs. Hainline added six blocks. Maddie Wilds had 15 digs.
UP NEXT
The team hosts Auburn Montgomery (4-11, 1-5 GSC) on Saturday, October 12 to begin a four match homestand at Trojan Fieldhouse. In fact, the Trojans play eight of the next 10 matches in the friendly confines of the Trojans Fieldhouse. AUM and TNU will be meeting for the first time in volleyball.
Valdosta State University (7-7, 1-3 GSC) visits on Oct. 18 at 6 PM in what is the first meeting all-time for the team schools in volleyball.
Next is GSC leader, the University of West Florida (11-5, 6-0 GSC) on Oct. 19 at 1 PM. This is the first meeting in volleyball for the two schools.
Union University (4-11, 2-4 GSC) visits Trojan Fieldhouse for the first time as a Gulf South opponent on Oct. 22 at 6 PM. Trevecca beat Union in what was the first GSC match for the Trojans and the first GSC victory. It was the 54th meeting between the two schools in volleyball. Union leads the all-time series 31-23.
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