ANGOLA, Ind. - It was another sweep for the Trine University volleyball team as they defeated Kalamazoo College 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-18). The Thunder now run their win streak to six straight matches, improving their record to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in the MIAA.
The first set proved to be the toughest for the Thunder as the two sides traded points early on. The Hornets biggest lead of the night came at 4-2 before the Thunder rattled off four straight points to take their first lead of the set, and never look back. Trine built their lead to three at 10-7, but the Hornets fought back to within one at 12-11. Trine would then score 11 of the next 14 points to take a 23-14 before closing out the set.
In the second set, the Thunder jumped out to an early 6-1 lead as the strong Trine offense kept the Hornets at bay. In all, Trine scored 18 of their 25 points off of kills while making just two errors for a .552 hitting percentage in the set.
Trine would again runaway with the final set, scoring the first five points. The Thunder built to an 11-1 lead before Kalamazoo was able to score consecutive points. The Hornets would pull within four at 17-13 after scoring five straight points, but the Thunder would score back-to-back points to regain their lead. Trine finished off the match scoring five of the final six points.
The Trine offense was led by senior Betsy Irwin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander) who was the only player on the night to record double-digit kills with 10. Irwin also blocked down a match-high five balls. Sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) just missed her second triple-double of the season, finishing the night with eight kills, 17 assists and a match-high 10 digs. Freshman Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) finished her solid night hitting a match-high .538 with seven kills and seven digs. Sarah Radekin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander) had 15 assists on the night for the senior.
On the defensive side, junior libero Darcy Crabtree (Muncie, Ind./Wes-Del) matched Searles with a game-high 10 digs. Freshman Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) had an outstanding night at the service line with a season- and match-high four aces while also digging six balls.
Trine will now travel to Marietta College for the two-day Marietta Pioneer Volleyball Classic beginning September 14 at 4:30 p.m. when they face Hiram College.
