ANGOLA, Ind. -- The Trine University men's volleyball team took the court for the first time since the University last sponsored the sport in 2002. The team showed flashes of talent but came up short against visiting Loras (Iowa) College by three sets to one.
The Thunder started the first set with some first match jitters dropping the first three points before scoring their first to push the score to 3-1. The Duhawks then built a six-point lead at 8-2, but Trine refused to be blown out and continued to stick within five for most of the set. Loras pulled away in the end to take the first set 25-16.
Trine took the first three points in the second set behind the strong serving of Eric Santiago-Garcia (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Glen Ridge). The Duhawks then fought back to tie the set at six before pulling ahead for the first time. The Thunder continued to play well hanging within two of Loras until the late part of the set when the opposition pulled away for the victory in the set 25-17.
In the final set, the Thunder once again took an early lead building it to 7-5. Held that lead until the set was 10-8 in favor of Trine and then the Duhawks went on a six-point run to take the 16-10 lead. They would not relinquish it and took the set 25-18 and the match 3-0.
Santiago-Garcia led the team offensively with nine kills and a .217 hitting percentage. He also finished tied for the most digs on the team with eight. Junior Hunter Monday (Beech Grove, Ind. / Roncalli) led the team with 15 assists and eight digs.
The Thunder will take the court again on Friday, Jan. 25 when they face Thomas More for an 8 p.m. contest.