HUNTSVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (3-2) split a pair of matches at the University of Alabama in Huntsville Invitational on Friday.
Trevecca dropped a four-set match against Lincoln Memorial University (4-3) in the opening match of the invitational. The Railsplitters went 17-9 a year ago and 11-7 in the SAC. It was their best record since 2018.
TNU then took out Spring Hill College (2-4) in three sets. The Badgers finished last season with a 24-8 mark and an undefeated, 19-0, SIAC conference record.
GAME ONE – LINCOLN MEMORIAL
THE SERIES
The series is tied 2-2 now. This was the first time the winning team didn't do so with a sweep.
THE MATCH
LMU opened the match with a 6-0 run, setting the table for a 25-22 first set win. Trevecca did rally to take a lead, first at 13-12. Trevecca last led 20-19, but LMU secured the sideout then built a 24-20 lead.
The Trojans played well early in set two, leading early. With Trevecca leading 9-8, LMU scored six of the next seven points for a 14-10 advantage. The Trojans rallied to tie the match at 14-14, but the Splitters gained the lead and held off more Trojan runs for a 25-21 second set win.
The Trojans answered with a strong third set win, taking the set 25-15. LMU led 2-1, but Trevecca took a 3-2 lead and never trailed again. With the set tied 8-8, TNU scored nine (9) of the next 11 points, to secure what proved to be an insurmountable lead.
The fourth set remained close throughout, but with the teams tied 13-13, the Splitters took at 16-13 lead, a lead they would not relinquish, taking the match with a 25-20 fourth set win.
TROJAN NOTES
Addison Cunnigan (13),
Katilyn Grant (12),
Kayla Bullard (11), and
Mackenzie Martin (10) all hit for double digit kills. Five Trojans reached double-digit digs -
Skias Hainline (14),
Isabella Sherrod (12),
Lily Vanbebber (12),
Kayla Bullard (11), Addison Cunnigan (10). Three Trojans reached a double-double -
Skias Hainline (40 Assists / 14 D), Cunnigan (13 K / 10 D), Bullard (11 K / 11 D). Hainline also gained marks in kills (5), blocks (2), and service aces (3).
GAME TWO – SPRING HILL
THE SERIES
Trevecca leads the series 3-0. This is the first meeting between the two schools in volleyball during the NCAA Division II era.
THE MATCH
The Badgers opened the match with a 4-1 lead in the first set. After Trevecca pulled ahead, the Badgers roared back to take a 15-11 lead. It was then that TNU responded with an 8-0 run on the strength of
Lily Vanbebber serve to take a 19-15 lead. Spring Hill closed the gap to just two (19-17), but Addison Cunnigan got the sideout with a kill, then she scored three straight points on serve to push the Trojans to the brink of victory – 23-17.
Spring Hill opened the second set with an 8-4 lead. Trevecca gained their first lead at 12-11. The Badgers didn't go quietly, rallying for a 20-16 lead on the back of a 9-4 run. Trevecca chipped away and fought off set point to win on extra points – 27-25.
Like the first two sets, Spring Hill took a 6-4 lead. Trevecca climbed back to take a 9-6 lead. The Badgers, again, challenged the Trojans, taking a 16-13 lead with a 10-4 run. It was Vanbebber on serve again, pushing the Trojans ahead finishing a 4-0 run with three straight points on serve. Giving the Trojans the lead 17-16. After Spring Hill tied it with a sideout, the Trojans closed out the set and match with an 8-1 run.
TROJAN NOTES
Addison Cunnigan just missed another double-double with a team-high 14 kills and eight digs.
Katilyn Grant (11) and
Mackenzie Martin (11) reached double-digit kills again.
Lily Vanbebber and
Isabella Sherrod led the team with 11 digs each.
Skias Hainline also just missed a double-double with 37 assists and nine digs. As a team, the Trojans hit .318.
UP NEXT
The Trojans complete their trip to Huntsville, Alabama, for the UAH Invitational on Saturday at 12:15 PM against Nova Southeastern University (3-0). The Sharks went 20-11 in 2024 with a 11-0 mark in the Sunshine State Conference, good enough to reach the NCAA South Region Championships. It is the first meeting for the two teams in volleyball.
