ADA, Ohio—The Trine volleyball team concluded the Ohio Northern Invitational with two four set losses to Defiance and Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday.
The Thunder (0-4) opened the day by facing Defiance. Trine won the opening set 25-16 before Defiance came back to win the next three 25-19, 25-20 and 25-16. The Thunder hit .414 in its opening set with no attacking errors.
Trine's attack was led by sophomore Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg). Scott notched a career-high 13 kills while hitting .357. She also added two blocks to the Thunder's defensive efforts. Classmate Janaya Wilder (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont) totaled eight kills and freshman Molly Smith (Angola, Ind./Angola) had seven kills. Sophomore Rhylee Beshears (Gary, Ind./Hobart) led Trine's defense with 23 digs. Sophomore Emma Lucas (Hamilton, Ind./Hamilton) had four blocks at the net.
Defiance was led by Meredith Shank and Emma Seitz, who each had 10 kills. Dia Jackson notched 20 digs for her team. Jessica Davis led Defiance at the net with four blocks.
In Trine's second match of the day, Illinois Wesleyan won the first two sets 25-11 and 25-19. The Thunder came within a set with a 25-17 victory in the third, but the Titans sealed their win in the fourth, 25-13.
Wilder led Trine's offence with 11 kills, while sophomore Morgan Harris (Crown Point, Ind./Merrilville) added seven kills and four blocks. Junior Samantha Ihrie (Kendalville, Ind./East Noble) had 14 assists. Beshears totaled 18 digs for Trine's defense.
The Titans were led by Tyler Brown with 17 kills hitting .353, and she notched 15 digs. Colleen Rynne had 23 assists and Kira Jackson added 20. Maisy Bowden had a match-high five blocks at the net.
The Thunder continues road action on Wednesday, Sept. 7 when it opens Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play at Adrian at 6:30 p.m.