DELAWARE, Ohio – The Trine University women's volleyball team completed a 1-1 day on Saturday after sweeping Bethany University in three sets on Friday night. The Thunder lost to Ohio Wesleyan in straight sets to open the morning, then bounced back to defeat Anderson University 3-0 in match number two Saturday.
Trine is now 6-5 overall in the 2022 season after going 2-1 in non-conference action this weekend.
TRINE vs OHIO WESLEYAN:
Things did not go well for the Thunder against the host of this showcase event, Ohio Wesleyan. The Battling Bishops were able to use a massive 15-0 run midset to claim a 19-6 advantage in the first set and eventually won 25-12. Trine was held to a negative hitting percentage in both the first and second sets.
A large scoring run did not hurt the team in the second set, but a diverse offensive attack from Francesca Queary, Joey VanMeter and Jocelynn Nicholls was not enough as Ohio Wesleyan kept their foot on the gas pedal. A four-point swing for the Battling Bishops made it 22-13 late in the second, forcing the Thunder to use their final timeout, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Ohio Wesleyan would win the second by a score of 25-16.
Trine would fall behind early again in the deciding set three and end up being defeated 25-13. The Battling Bishops went up 17-4 at one point in the set. Queary had three kills in the set and Kailee Cornell had two points herself to try to keep pace.
Queary led the offense with five kills and no errors. Cornell distributed 11 assists in the match and had two service aces. Kacie Van Kalker dug up 11 balls, the only student-athlete in double figures in match one of the day. Meara Finnegan was a part of two Thunder blocks.
TRINE vs ANDERSON:
Trine scored the first four points of match two of the day – including a pair from Cassidy Victor. They extended the lead to as many as 10-3 early on, and carried momentum into the later stages of the first. Madison Dominick was key late in putting away the 25-18 set win.
The first five points went to the Thunder in the second, setting the table for another victory for Trine. Olivia Jolliffe and Catherine Dobies were key contributors offensively in the second set, including four kills by the sophomore Dobies. Cornell found Queary for a late set kill to help push the match in Trine's favor, 25-21 in set two.
New faces got involved for the offense in the third set, including VanMeter and Aleena Keh. The duo combined for six of the 16 team kills. The Thunder had the most kills in any set this weekend in the third with 16, and held the Ravens to a negative hitting percentage. The third set went to Trine by a score of 25-21 once again to take the match.
As a team, the Thunder had 67 digs and six solo blocks on defense. Trine also held Anderson to a total hitting percentage of .047 for the match. Van Kalker had a team-high 26 digs, while Queary and Victor were each credited with a pair of solo blocks.
Dobies led the way on offense with nine kills and a .474 hitting percentage. She recorded 12 digs as well. Cornell had 18 assists and three aces to lead the team against the Ravens.
The team begins Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play in their next match at Adrian College on Tuesday, September 20. First serve is set for 6:30 pm.
