ALMA, Mich. - For the first time this season, down 0-2, the Trine University volleyball were unable to pull out the fifth set win as they fell 3-2 (25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 17-25, 15-9) to Alma College. The loss ends the Thunder's four game winning streak as they are now 9-9 on the season and 4-4 in the MIAA.
The opening set saw the Scots jump out to an 11-1 lead early. The Thunder would try to claw their way back into it, but they were unable to pull closer than five.
In the second set, it was the Thunder who jumped out to the early lead going up 12-5. Alma would slowly close the gap before going on a 14-5 run to close out the set as the Thunder trailed 0-2.
The Scots would hold a one point lead through the first half of the third set. With the Thunder trailing 12-10, they would go on a 15-6 run to close out the set.
Set number four was all Thunder from the start as they never trailed as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Trine would lead by as many as 11 twice, up 15-4 and 20-9.
Trine would take the early lead in the decisive fifth set, up 5-3. Alma would then go on a 7-1 run to take a 10-6 that the Thunder were unable to recover from. Trine would pull within two at 11-9, but that would be it as the Scots scored the final four points.
The Thunder were led on the floor by sophomore Megan Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) with her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs. Fellow sophomore Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) finished her night with nine kills to go along with eight digs. Junior Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) nearly had a triple-double as she dished out 32 assists, made 19 digs and finished with eight kills. Searles also led the Thunder with three service aces. Sophomore Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) also added eight kills while fellow sophomore Stephanie Radandt (Walkerton, Ind./John Glenn) added seven kills.
Senior Carlee Felber (Newman, Calif./Orestimba) finished with a game-high 26 digs while sophomore Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) had 21 digs.
