WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (3-8) split a pair of matches to close out the Rollins College Invitational on Saturday.
In the morning, the Trojans took down Millersville University (7-4) in three sets, winning 25-15, 25-17, 25-14.
The nightcap brought a loss to tournament hosts Rollins Collins (8-2) who defeated the Trojans in five sets, 22-25, 25-21, 25-10, 16-25, 10-15. Rollins won all three of its matches this weekend.
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting for Trevecca and Millersville University in volleyball.
This is the first meeting for Trevecca and Rollins College in volleyball.
HOW IT HAPPENED
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
The Trojans hot start in tournament games continued as they got off to a fast 6-1 start. The Marauders trimmed the deficit to four on four different occasions but the Trojans stream rolled through the opener for a 25-17 win.
After taking the opening point of the second, the Trojans fell into their first hole of the day in the early stages. Down 7-5, a 5-1 run gave the Trojans a two-point lead and more importantly the lead for good. Leading 19-16, five straight points gave Trevecca set point which was ultimately won off a Marauder attack error.
Trevecca took the first two points of the third to establish some pressure on the Marauders and did not look back. Millersville never led in the third before the Trojans closed out the Marauders taking tine of the last 10 points to win 25-14.
ROLLINS COLLEGE
Trevecca looked well positioned to take the opener off Rollins after taking five of the first six points of the match. After playing to a tie at 13-13, the Tars managed a 5-1 run to gain control midway through the set. An attack error gave the Trojans a point back before another 5-1 run put the Tars at set point. Trevecca did not go easy though, as it fended off four set points before the Tars produced the final kill to win, 25-22.
The second set opened with four straight Tar points before the Trojans answered back with three of their own. Eight consecutive points put Trevecca up 11-5 and put it well on its way to securing the second set. Rollins put up a fight, but ultimately the Trojans took the second set, 25-21.
The most lopsided set of the night came in the third where the Trojans took the first three points and 10 of the first 15. Leading 15-9, six straight points put the Trojans up 21-9 before a service error slowed the Trevecca run. The final four points went to Trevecca for the quick 25-10 win, though.
Rollins rallied to the begin the fourth and really put the set out of reach in the early moments of the frame. Facing a 10-point deficit at 14-4, the Trojans fought back to make it a five-point game at three different points, but the hosts closed out Trevecca with the final four points of the set, 25-16.
Both sides traded points to kick off the fifth and final set of the night before the Tars rattled off four straight points to gain the upper hand at 8-4. The Trojans trimmed the deficit to one at 10-9 but could not overcome the hot start from the Tars, falling 15-10.
THE TEAM
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
The Trojans put together a consistent attacking game with a percentage of .248 for the match to pair with 40 kills and five service aces. As a squad, Trevecca produced 64 digs, 37 assists and 16 blocks.
ROLLINS COLLEGE
Neither side hit very well with Rollins managing a .155 mark to the Trojans' .203. Trevecca collected 51 kills and seven service aces. The Trojans pieced together 48 assists, 60 digs and 10 blocks in the match.
THE PLAYERS
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
Mackenzie O'Loughlin led the Trojans with 11 kills while
Skias Hainline collected another 29 assists with 11 digs.
Reese Payne had six kills for a team-best .545 attack percentage with four block assists.
ROLLINS COLLEGE
Emma Titus collected a team-high 19 kills and finished off the double-double with 14 digs.
Mackenzie O'Loughlin produced 12 kills and had six blocks, while hitting a team-best .400.
Skias Hainline offered 43 assists and three digs.
UP NEXT
It's on to Gulf South play for the first time in school history when Trevecca visits old conference rival Union University (2-7) on Tuesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Jackson, Tennessee.
The first GSC meeting with UU is the tenth meeting since both schools moved to NCAA Division II play in 2012. TNU owns a 5-4 edge in the Div. II era. The teams played 31 times in the NAIA era with the Bulldogs controlling a 21-10 advantage.
