ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's volleyball team opened up the 2022 season with a home match against Indiana Tech, but unfortunately fell to the Warriors 3-1.
The Thunder fall to 0-1 after dropping the opening match of the Crossroads Crossover event to Indiana Tech, who holds a record of 3-0 this season.
The Warriors scored five of the first six points of the match, putting the Thunder in a hole in the opening set. Back-to-back Indiana Tech errors allowed Trine to eventually even the set up at 11, however Trine was never able to breakthrough to take a lead. Kevin Boncaro [Rochester, N.Y. / Rush Henrietta] led the way with four first set kills in the 25-18 loss.
The Thunder redeemed themselves in the second with a 25-22 victory. There, Trine held the lead the majority of the set with Indiana Tech tying the match one time, just as the Thunder did in the first.
Four straight points resulted in Trine taking a 7-2 advantage to begin the frame, highlighted by a kill from Ted Hofmeister [Powell, Ohio / Saint Charles]. The teams traded points in the middle portion of the set, with the Thunder maintaining a slight advantage throughout. Landon Barrow [Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville] gave Trine their largest lead of the match at 23-15, and held on to win the set by three points.
Kyle Dixon [Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Township] started set three with a kill and gave the Thunder positive momentum. A kill by Matt Stillman [Mokena, Ill. / Lincoln Way Central] kept Trine within one at 13-12, but the Warriors would score 11 of the next 12 points to cruise to a 25-15 victory.
Indiana Tech put the match away in the fourth set 25-17, but not before Dixon recorded four of his nine kills. After falling behind 12-4, the Thunder rattled off five kills in a row, including consecutive points by Stillman. Trine kept pace with the Warriors late, but were unable to claim a lead.
Boncaro, Dixon and Hofmeister all had double digits points. Boncaro had a team-high 11 kills and had the team's only ace. Dixon and Hofmeister each chipped in with nine kills on offense and Hofmeister led the defense with 11 digs. Ryan McDonald [New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln Way West] assisted on 34 of the team's 38 kills.
The Thunder continue the Crossroads Crossover tomorrow on Friday, January 14 at Indiana Tech. Trine plays Goshen beginning at 4 pm and square off with the Warriors once again in the nightcap at 6 pm.