MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (13-16, 10-8 GSC) dropped a crucial match to Auburn University Montgomery (9-17, 6-11 GSC) in the AUM Athletics Complex on Friday night.

The Warhawks dismantled the Trojans in five sets, winning, 25-22, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13.

THE SERIES
Trevecca defeated AUM in four sets in the school's first-ever meeting on October 12 in Nashville. The all-time series is now split, 1-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warhawks came prepared for battle tonight as they took the first four points of the set. After establishing a 7-1 lead, the Trojans trimmed the deficit to 7-4 with kills from Emma Titus and Mackenzie O'Loughlin. AUM countered with four straight points of their own to take a 11-4 lead. Trailing 15-7, the Trojans strung together six consecutive points to make it a 15-12 game. From there, a service ace capped a 4-0 run by Trevecca to give the Trojans their first and only lead in the opener. AUM rallied off four straight kills and took the first, 25-22.

It was the Trojans who grabbed early control of the second with the 5-1 lead. AUM played to a 6-6 tie, but an O'Loughlin kill gave the Trojans the advantage for the rest of the second. O'Loughlin's next kill fueled an 8-2 run and put the set largely out of hand. The Warhawks pulled within three late in the second, before Addison Cunnagin picked up the kill to set up set point. Lily Vanbebber iced the set with a service ace, 25-20.

The third set started the same as the second with a 5-1 Trevecca lead. The Warhawks fought back and recaptured the lead as part of a 7-1 run at 8-6. Out of a timeout, the Trojans tied it at 8-8 before AUM rattled off three points to regain the edge. Two AUM errors midway through the set made it 15-13, and the Trojans later tied it at 19-19 behind a 5-1 run. An O'Loughlin kill gave the Trojans their lead back which was not surrendered. Two kills by Cunnagin created some separation and a Reese Payne strike set up set point. AUM got back on serve with a kill, but the Trojans took the third, 25-22, behind a Skias Hainline kill.

Both sides traded points in the early stages of the fourth. It was tied at 10-10 and later 14-14 before three straight points by AUM gave the hosts a little cushion, forcing at Trevecca timeout. The Trojans responded by taking two of the next three points to trail 18-16 before AUM took the next two points, forcing Trevecca to take its final timeout. The Trojans once again responded well out of a break, pulling within one at 20-19 causing AUM to call for time. Both sides got a point before a controversial point went wide as an attack by Mackenzie O'Loughlin was called which gave AUM the edge they needed. The Warhawks forced a fifth set, winning 25-23.

Trevecca held leads at 3-2 and 5-4 in the fifth before four straight points by AUM gave the hosts an 8-5 which led to a Trevecca timeout. The Trojans rattled off five straight points out of the break to take control, 10-8. The Warhawks got two kills and an attack error to give them an 11-10 lead. From there, the teams traded points until a 13-12 AUM lead caused the Trojans to call their final timeout. Out of the break, AUM set up match point with a kill which Trevecca fended off behind a service error. AUM won the match off an attack error, 15-13.

THE TEAM
Trevecca collectively hit .261, the same percentage as AUM, with 70 kills and 60 assists. Trevecca produced 11 blocks and 10 service aces with 81 digs.

THE PLAYERS
Mackenzie O'Loughlin secured a team-high 15 kills while Elizabeth Wells (14), Addison Cunnagin (12) and Emma Titus (12) all touched double figures in kills. Skias Hainline added six kills with 17 digs and 51 assists.

UP NEXT
The Trojans conclude the regular season next week with a trip to Valdosta State University (18-9, 12-5 GSC) on Friday, November 15.

First serve against the Blazers is set for 5:00 p.m. The Trojans fell to the Blazers in three sets in the team's first-ever meeting on October 18.

Then, on Saturday, November 16, it's a matchup with GSC-leading University of West Florda (22-5, 17-0 GSC).

First serve against the Argonauts is set for 1:00 p.m. The Trojans took a set off the Argonauts in their October 19 matchup. West Florida was receiving votes in the national poll for their first meeting and is receiving votes as of the November 4 poll as well.