NOTRE DAME, IND. -- The Trine women's volleyball team were defeated this afternoon by 3-1 in a match played at St. Mary's College.
The Thunder quickly fell behind in the first set as the Belles would win the first seven points of the match. Trine was unable to overcome the initial lead, and they would lose the set by the score of 25-16.
In the second, the Thunder started the set by winning the first two points, with freshman Emma Gaff (Hamilton/Hamilton) scoring the second point with a kill. But the Belles would respond eventually going on a 12 point run to give them a 16-6 lead, which they would not relinquish going on to win the set 25-18.
Beginning the third set the Thunder found themselves for the second day in a row facing an uphill climb to victory, down two sets to zero, and once again it looked like they might be up for the climb. The Thunder would go on an 8-1 point run in the middle of the set to take a 20-14 lead. Gaff would record three kills during the stretch as would fellow freshman Molly Smith (Angola/Angola). Junior Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) would finish off the set with a kill to win 25-19.
In the fourth set Trine and St. Mary's would trade points back and forth throughout the set leading to the Thunder trailing 22-18 late in the set. Smith and fellow freshman Sarah Toles (Kendallville/East Noble) would start a three-point run by recording blocking assists for a point. Scott would then reel off two kills in a row to bring the Thunder within one of the Belles at 22-21. But St. Mary's would finish off the set for the 3-1 match victory.
Toles would lead the Thunder with 13 kills, she also recorded a .417 attack percentage. Smith would finish with a team-high .529 attack percentage to go along with her nine kills. Gaff would finish with 12 kills and a team-high two service aces.
The Thunder will look to bounce back on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. when they have their home match against Alma College.