The Trine University women's volleyball team swept Olivet College, 3-0, to win it's first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) match of the season Friday night in Hershey Hall.
Despite the lopsided final score, it was tightly-contested for much of the evening. In the first set, Olivet looked like it was on the verge of pulling away multiple times, going up by scores of 12-7, 15-10 and 17-11, but Trine rallied each time. The Comets also took leads of 21-17 and 22-20 late in the set, but the Thunder tied it up at 22. It went back-and-forth a few more times before Trine put set one to bed, winning 26-24.
The second set was less back-and-forth than the first, but just as close. The Thunder seemed in control early, stretching their lead to as much as seven, but the Comets clawed back, ultimately catching Trine to tie it up at 22. Olivet took leads of 23-22 and 24-23, but those leads were short-lived, as Trine went on to win the set by a score of 27-25.
The Thunder cruised through the third set, going wire-to-wire to win it 25-15, securing the sweep.
Trine boasted a balanced attack in the match with four players finishing with eight kills. Seniors Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich. / Vicksburg) and Morgan Harris (Crown Point / Merrillville) along with freshman Kendra Nicley (Lebanon / Western Boone), and sophomore Madison Munger (Indianapolis / Franklin Central) all tied for the team-high. Of the four Harris led the way with an impressive .467 hitting percentage on the night.
The team had 46 kills altogether and finished with a .246 hitting percentage.
Junior Alexa Ratkowski (Bronson, Mich. / Bronson) paced the Thunder with 18 assists, while senior Raven Hood (Monroe, Mich. / Airport) added 14 of her own.
On the defensive side, Nicley led the team with 14 digs. Harris and sophomore Sarah Toles (Kendallville / East Noble) each had three block assists to lead the Thunder.
Morgan Champion led the Comets with 10 kills, while Gabrielle Mundt had a team-high 23 digs.
Olivet falls to 9-6 on the season and 1-1 in MIAA play, while the Thunder improve to 8-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Trine is back in action Wednesday, September 26 against MIAA foe Alma. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.