DECATUR, Ill. – The Trine University women's volleyball team began the Millikin 5 State Classic with a three-set victory against Simpson College on Friday night.
The Thunder improve their record to 14-12 this season, while Simpson falls to 6-8.
Trine took advantage of six errors by Simpson in the first 10 Thunder points to jump out to an early lead. Rachel Campbell [Greenfield, Ind. / Greenfield Central] and Jacqueline Baughman [Lake Orion, Mich. / Lutheran Northwest] had aces early in the set as well. Trine scored five of the last six points in the first to claim a 25-21 victory.
The Storm were in control of set number two in an effort to tie the match, but Kacie VanKalker [Dyer, Ind. / Illiana Christian] served up eight straight points to overcome a 19-17 deficit to win 25-19.
An 8-1 run mid-set highlighted by kills from Jocelynn Nicholls [Montgomery, Mich. / Camden-Frontier] and Baughman gave the Thunder a commanding 14-6 lead and held on for a 25-19 victory.
Nicholls and Baughman tied for the team lead with six kills each and Baughman had 11 assists and 10 digs.
Trine continues action at Millikin tomorrow with two more matches at noon and 2 pm.