OLIVET, Mich. - Entering the match, the Trine University volleyball team was in a four-way tie for third place in the MIAA, but the Thunder suffered a tough loss to Olivet College 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19). With Alma and Kalamazoo also falling, the Thunder are now in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference with a 4-5 record and a 9-10 overall mark on the year.
Olivet controlled the first set as they let 21-11 before the Thunder went on a seven point run to pull within three at 21-18, but the Comets closed out the went on a four point run.
Trine would handle the second set as they led it 5-4 and never trailed from there.
Set number three was a back-and-forth battle as the teams fought through 11 ties and five lead changes. The largest lead of the set came with the Thunder up 9-6 before the Comets score three straight points. Late in the set, Trine trailed by two at 21-19 but were only able to close the gap to one at 24-23 before the Comets scored the final point.
The final set was again all Comets as they never trailed after taking a 3-0 lead. Midway through the set the Thunder would battle back to pull within three at 18-15, but were unable to get any closer.
Sophomores Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) and Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) led the Thunder with 10 kills on the night. Twin sister Megan Verkamp added nine kills and eight digs. Fellow sophomore Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) had a game and career-high eight blocks (two solo).
Junior Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) earned her 13th double-double of the season with a game-high 33 assists and 13 digs. Senior Carlee Felber (Newman, Calif./Orestimba) made a game-high 17 digs.
As a team, Trine had a season-high 12 blocks on the night.
Trine goes right back to action as they travel to Defiance College for a tri-match with Mount St. Joseph beginning at 3 p.m.