By Sports Information Student Assistant Sydney Spragg
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University volleyball team came out strong against #2 Calvin College during a matchup of two of the top four teams in the MIAA, but the Thunder were unable to hold off the Knights comebacks falling 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-14). Trine falls to 12-4 on the season and 5-2 in the conference.
The Thunder started the first set off with a kill from freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) as they would trade points back and forth as the opening set saw the score tied nine times. Trine would push their lead to 21-18, but relinquish it and eventually drop the first set 22-25.
The Thunder got out to an early 10-6 lead to start the second set. The Knights battled back, led by kills from both Maggie and Lizzie Kamp. Trine then tied things back up at 19-19 on a service ace from senior Sarah Radekin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander). After falling behind 22-20, Trine battled back to within one at 23-22, but an attack error would give Calvin the set.
The final set saw the Thunder again take an early lead, before Calvin tallied five straight points as Trine was unable to mount a comeback.
The Thunder were led by senior Betsy Irwin (Athens, Ohio /Alexander) who finished with nine kills and three blocks. Freshman Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) just missed out on a double-double, finishing her day with a game-high 11 digs and seven kills. Searles led the Thunder with 11 assists on the afternoon.
Junior Darcy Crabtree (Muncie, Ind./Wes-Del) matched Verkamp with a match-high 11 digs on defense.
The Trine defense was able to hold the Knights to their second lowest hitting percentage on the season (.183) and the second fewest kills (34). The biggest difference in the match saw the Knights overwhelm Trine at the net, out-blocking the Thunder 14-to-5 on the afternoon.
Trine will have another tough match as they host #4 Hope College on September 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m.