ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The Trine volleyball team split action at the Rochester Institute of Technology Tournament on Friday night. The Thunder defeated Utica, 3-0, before dropping a 3-1 contest to R.I.T.
Against Utica, Trine won in straight sets, 25-16, 25-10 and 25-18. The Thunder out hit Utica in the first set .273 to .057 and .292 to -.038 in the second.
The Thunder jumped out to an early lead in the first set and went up 18-12. Utica pulled within three points at 19-16, but Trine won the next six points to win the set. In the second, Trine quickly took a 10-point advantage at 13-3. The Thunder sailed its way to the victory going up 2-0. In the third, Trine and Utica traded leads back and forth early in the set. The Thunder switched gears midway to claim a commanding 25-18 victory to seal the match win.
Sophomore Janaya Wilder (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont) and freshman Molly Smith (Angola, Ind./Angola) led the Thunder with eight kills each. Smith's eight kills matches her career high, while hitting a career best .538. Wilder also led the team in digs with 10 and matched her career high six aces. Junior Samantha Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and sophomore Raven Hood (Monroe, Mich./Airport) each notched 12 assists in the win.
Utica was led by Hannah Voss with eight kills, while hitting .211. Andreana Kroup led the defense with 10 digs, while Marisa Faroni had eight.
In the Thunder's second match of the day, R.I.T. defeated Trine 25-20, 17-25, 25-8 and 25-16.
Early in the first set, Trine and the Tigers traded the lead back and forth and were deadlocked at 17-17. RIT outscored the Thunder eight to three to take the win. In the second set, Trine took an early lead and cruised its way to the victory to tie the match at one set each. The Tigers jumped out to an early advantage in each of the next two sets and went on to win for the match victory.
Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) led the Thunder with six kills. Wilder and Madison Cook (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) each had five. Sophomore Rhylee Beshears (Gary, Ind./Hobart) led the Thunder defense with 13 digs and added three aces. Ihrie led the team with 13 assists. Junior Emma Bowman (Corvallis, Ore./Saint Joseph) totaled a match-high six blocks including two solo.
The Tigers were led by Sarah Szybist with 19 kills. Erin Parkinson helped her team with 35 assists. Rebecca Bennett led the RIT defense with 16 digs.
The Thunder wraps up play at the R.I.T. Tournament on Saturday. Trine will take on Brockport State at 10 a.m. before playing DeSales at noon.