NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (14-18, 10-10 GSC) won its first-ever Gulf South Conference tournament match against Union University (10-20, 8-12 GSC) in Trojan Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

The Trojans defeated the Bulldogs in four sets, winning, 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16.

THE SERIES
Trevecca owns an 8-4 edge in the Div. II era after sweeping the regular season series. The teams played 31 times in the NAIA era with the Bulldogs controlling a 21-10 advantage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set was one of runs. After dropping the opening point, the Trojans rattled off three straight points for the early advantage. Things went south quickly for Trevecca, though, as an 11-0 Union run saw the visitors take a 13-4 lead. The Trojans responded accordingly with an 11-0 run of their own fueled by four kills from Emma Titus. Both sides had 3-0 runs from there, the last of which gave Trevecca a 21-19 lead. After the Bulldogs tied it at 21-21, the Trojans took four of the final six points for the 25-23 win.

Both sides split the first 10 points of the second before the Trojans went on their largest run of five straight to lead 10-5. Union used a three-point spurt to tie things at 18-18 before three straight Trojan points gave Trevecca a 21-18 lead. Emma Titus' kill to end the stretch gave the Trojans the momentum they needed to close off the second, 25-21.

The third set saw the Trojans looking at a 6-4 deficit before three straight points gave them a lead. With the set tied at 14-14, took control of the third on a 5-2 stretch. Trevecca pulled within one at 22-21, but ultimately fell 25-22.

Despite falling into a 6-3 hole to begin the fourth, the Trojans relied on their service game to pull them back into it. Trailing 9-7, Trevecca made its run. Five straight points in favor of the Trojans made it a 11-9 game, a lead TNU would not surrender. Another 5-0 run put things out of reach with a 23-14 lead. In fact, Trevecca closed the set (and match) on a 7-2 run to win, 25-16.

THE TEAM
Trevecca collectively hit .153, with UU earning a .101 mark. The Trojans had 48 kills and 43 assists. Trevecca produced nine blocks and seven service aces with 68 digs.

THE PLAYERS
Emma Titus followed up her season-high kills match with another double digit outing tonight with 13. Addison Cunnagin also collected a team-high 13 kills on 22 total attacks for a .364 hitting percentage. Skias Hainline produced 37 assists and 15 digs with a team-most three service aces, including the match winner.

UP NEXT
The Trojans survive and advance to play against third-seeded Mississippi College (15-13, 13-7 GSC) on Friday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Trevecca and MC split home matches played during the regular season with the Choctaws won in four sets in Clinton while the Trojans swept the Choctaws in Trojan Fieldhouse.