ADRIAN, MICH.-- Trine defeated Adrian in four sets Friday night at Merillat Gymnasium to give the Thunder their first 20-win season in 15 years.
The 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-20) victory gives the Thunder their first 20-win season since the school joined NCAA Division III in 2004, and their first since 1999. Trine has now won seven-consecutive matches. The team continues to showcase a balanced attack, with five players notching seven or more kills in tonight's victory. Leading the way was Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community), who notched 14 kills and 10 digs for her sixth double-double on the season. Margo Joubran recorded a double-double for the Bulldogs, with 11 kills and 11 digs. Trine improved to 20-3 overall and 9-3 in the MIAA. Adrian falls to 11-12 overall, 5-8 in conference play.
Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) tied a season-high with 10 kills, and turned in another strong performance defensively with a solo block and six block assists. Annie Phillips (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) also tied a season-high with 10 kills. The Thunder outhit Adrian .239 to .069. Trine has hit .200 or better in six of their last seven matches.
Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) moved into fourth on Trine's all-time list in aces with 121. Lauren Verkamp and Searles now rank three and four respectively in school-history in that category. Searles notched four kills, 16 digs and 42 assists on the night.
Jordan Brisson added 10 kills and nine digs for the Bulldogs. Cassadine Reed added nine kills.
The Thunder outhit Adrian in the first set, but the Bulldogs were able to make plays down the stretch to earn the win. Two kills by Brisson helped Adrian close out the set and break open a 22-all tie. The Bulldogs closed the set on a 3-1 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Trine hit right back in the second set, as a seven-point run pushed a four-point lead into a commanding 16-5 advantage. Bridget Marlow (Trafalgar, Ind./Indian Creek) held serve during the run. The Thunder would go on to lead by as much as 16 before closing out the set.
A 15-13 lead for the Bulldogs in the third set was erased by a six-point Trine rally. Lauren Verkamp notched two kills, while Megan Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) added a kill in the run. Megan Verkamp notched eight kills on the night. The Thunder outhit the Bulldogs .286 to .049 during the set.
The Thunder never trailed in the final set as they closed out their seventh-consecutive victory.
Trine hosts no. 1-ranked Hope tomorrow at 1 p.m. in a showdown of 20-win teams in Hershey Hall. The Dutch carry a 24-0 record into the match. The Thunder will be hosting Senior Day festivities and a benefit for Rett Syndrome. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
