WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (2-7) split a pair of matches to begin its second consecutive weekend of tournament play in the Sunshine State on Friday in the Rollins College Invitational.
In the morning, the Trojans dismantled Southern Connecticut State University (1-7) in straight sets, winning 25-13, 25-18, 25-17.
The afternoon action saw No. 18 Lynn (8-0) defeat the Trojans in three sets, 25-20, 25-10, 32-30. Lynn has dropped one set all season.
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting for Trevecca and Southern Connecticut State University in volleyball.
Lynn leveled the all-time series at a game apiece after the Trojans knocked off the then No. 25 Fighting Knights in the 2023 Thrasher Classic. Lynn went on to reach the regional finals with a 26-8 mark.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SCSU
The Trojans wasted little time jumping out ahead in this one. After securing the match's first three points, Trevecca, up 6-2, used a 6-0 run to put things out of reach in the first. The Owls cut the deficit to 10 with three straight points of their own late, but it wasn't enough with Trevecca taking the opener, 25-13.
The second set saw the Owls push back a little at the outset. Both sides alternated the first seven points until a 3-0 run for the Owls gave SCSU its first lead of the set and match at 6-4. The Trojans responded with three points of their own to recapture the lead at 7-6. A pair of kills by the Trojans and an attack error by the Owls made way for the Trojans 11-9 lead which was ultimately not relinquished. Four straight Trojan points up 20-17 pushed SCSU to set point before
Mackenzie O'Loughlin secured the set, 25-18, with one of her team-leading eight kills.
Trevecca dropped the first point of the third and was down 7-4 in the early stages before going on an extended 12-3 run to put things out of reach. The Trojans held on for the 25-17 set and match win after
Reese Payne finished things up with a kill.
No. 18 LYNN UNIVERSITY
Much like the first match of the day, the Trojans quickly collected the first three points. After Lynn responded with three points of its own, the Trojans punched back for leads of 6-3 and 9-6 before the Fighting Knights took control of the set with a 9-1 extended run to lead, 15-10. The set of runs continued with the Trojans erasing a four point deficit and switching it into a one-point lead with a 5-0 run in the late stages. Lynn grabbed the final six points of the opener to win, 25-20.
The Fighting Knights built on their run to end the first, claiming the first seven points of the second set. After the Trojans grabbed their first pair of points on back-to-back attack errors, the Fighting Knights did not let up the rest of the way. Lynn used a couple of 5-0 runs to sink the Trojans quickly in the second, 25-10.
The third set began much like the second with Lynn taking the first trio of points. It wasn't until a 5-0 Trojan run that things began to get interesting. Trevecca led 14-11 which forced Lynn to reorganize. After the match was tied at 14-14, neither side led by more than two until the final point. A
Mackenzie O'Loughlin kill set the Trojans up for two set points before Lynn tied it and regained the advantage. From there, Lynn held four different set points while the Trojans managed to put themselves in position to extend things once before falling, 32-30.
THE TEAM
SCSU
The Trojans strung together a .342 attacking percentage for the match to pair with 38 kills and six service aces. Collectively, Trevecca produced 24 block assists and 39 digs in the match.
No. 18 LYNN UNIVERSITY
Neither side hit very well with Lynn managing a .217 mark to the Trojans' .141. Trevecca collected 33 kills and one service ace. The Trojans pieced together 29 assists, 51 digs and 13 blocks in the match.
THE PLAYERS
SCSU
Mackenzie O'Loughlin led the Trojans with eight kills and seven block assists while
Skias Hainline had 29 assists and a team-most eight digs with
Kayla Bullard adding in six kills.
No. 18 LYNN UNIVERSITY
Mackenzie O'Loughlin once again led in kills with 10 to pair with two blocks and a dig.
Maddie Wilds led the dig effort with 12 while
Skias Hainline had four kills and 25 assists.
UP NEXT
On Saturday, the team faces Millersville University (7-2) at 10:30 a.m. before finishing up the weekend in Florida challenging tournament hosts, Rollins College (6-2) at 6:00 p.m.
