ANGOLA, Ind.-- Expectations are high for the Trine volleyball team as the Thunder prepare to open the season next Friday at the Mount Union Invitational.
Trine is coming off a 24-6 campaign that saw the Thunder earn its best record as a member of NCAA Division III. Five of the team's losses came to teams ranked in the top five in the nation at the time of the match. Trine was picked to finish third in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in the conference's preseason poll. The team returns all but one starter off last season's squad and will add 11 newcomers to the mix this fall. The Thunder open the season Friday, Sept. 4 with a pair of matches at the Mount Union Invitational.
In the video below, head coach Jamie Wozniak offers a brief preview of the 2015 season.
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Non-Conference Schedule Comes to a Close at DePauw
GREENCASTLE, Ind. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team made their final preparations for the regular season finale conference games next week with a trip to DePauw University to face Kenyon College as well as the host Tigers in a tri-match. The Thunder came away from the event with a 1-1 record, defeating Kenyon and losing to DePauw, both in four sets.
Thunder Battle with Nationally-Ranked Flying Dutch
HOLLAND, Mich. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team traveled to the #3 ranked Hope College on Wednesday night and suffered a three-set loss. The Thunder now hold a record of 8-13 overall and are 1-5 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. The Flying Dutch win their fourth straight match and move to 17-1 and remain unbeaten at 5-0 in conference action.
Women's Volleyball Suffers Two Losses at North Central
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team competed in a tournament at North Central College on Saturday and dropped two matches in straight sets. The Thunder competed against Augustana University to start the day and concluded by facing the host Cardinals of North Central.
Trine Falls to Saint Mary's on Friday Night
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team dropped their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest to Saint Mary’s College on Friday evening by a score of 3-1. After suffering a loss in the first set, the Thunder rallied to a dominant set two victory. A closely contested set three went to the Belles before the home squad pulled away to the match win in the fourth.
Hot Start Not Enough for Women's Volleyball at #7 Calvin
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team lost in straight sets on Tuesday to the seventh-ranked team in NCAA DIII heading into the day in Calvin University. The Thunder fall to 8-9 overall and 1-3 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. The Knights of Calvin are now 14-3 and 2-1 in conference action.
Pink Out Match Goes to the Thunder 3-0
ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team was able to make quick work of Kalamazoo College on Wednesday to secure their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) win of 2023. The Thunder swept the Hornets 3-0, with the closest set coming with an eight-point scoring differential.
Trine Swept by Albion
ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women’s volleyball team fell 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in a home Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) match versus Albion College. The loss drops Trine to 7-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Britons of Albion are 10-7 on the year and 1-1 in league action.
Thunder Drop MIAA Opener 3-1
ANGOLA, Ind. – In the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and home opener for the Trine University women’s volleyball team, the Thunder were defeated by the Adrian College Bulldogs 3-1. Trine was able to come out strong by taking set one, but struggled in the second set and were unable to snag either of the third or fourth sets despite the scores being close.
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"The coaching staff is greatly encouraged heading into our 2015 season," said Wozniak. "Our 2015 recruiting class brings height, athleticism and depth to our lineup. This year's incoming class was vital to the longevity of our program. We are returning six starters and four of those are seniors who have had starting spots since they were freshmen. We expect our incoming class to challenge our returners."
Headlining the team's returners is All-MIAA Second Team libero Mikayla Carpenter (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North). The sophomore led the MIAA in digs per set in conference matches as a freshman and will be a big part of the team's defense in the back row this fall. Bridget Marlow (Trafalgar, Ind./Indian Creek) also brings returning experience as a defensive specialist who can also contribute from the service line.
The team returns a trio of seniors on the outside, led by Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central). Rabel has led the team in kills each of the last two seasons. Megan Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) and Lauren Verkamp (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) provide solid, experienced offensive options on the outside as well.
Annie Phillips (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) gives the Thunder another weapon at the service line, while Madison Cook (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) also provides depth for the team at outside hitter.
Returning in the middle are starters Olivia Deck (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) and Laura Hartman (Lainsburg, Mich./Laingsburg). Sophomore Emma Bowman (Corvallis, Ore./Saint Joseph) showed promise in her freshman campaign and senior Kelbie Titus (Valparaiso, Ind./Washington Township) adds a veteran presence at the net.
Samantha Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) is the lone returning setter from last season's squad. Freshman Emily Schaub (Ceresco, Mich./Battle Creek St. Philip) will also be in the mix. Schaub was part of four Class D State Champion teams and a two-time all-state performer who earned numerous academic honors in high school.
Newcomers on the outside include Shannon Scott (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg), Janaya Wilder (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont), Caroline Hipskind (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger), sophomore Amanda Abney (Montgomery, Mich./Camden-Frontier) and Kasey Mielke (Bradenburg, Ky./Meade County).
Scott was a two-time all-region performer in Michigan, earning most-improved and most-valuable player honors from her high school over the course of her career. Wilder was a member of four sectional and two regional champions who earned all-state honors as a senior. Hipskind earned academic honors four times and was also a player who earned a most-improved honor in high school.
Abney was a three-time all-league performer in high school and comes to Trine after transferring in from Adrian. Mielke earned all-region recognition her senior year in high school.
Newcomers in the middle include Morgan Harris (Crown Pointe, Ind./Merrillville), Rachel Little (Metamora, Mich./Lapeer West) and Emma Lucas (Hamilton, Ind./Hamilton). Harris earned 12 scholar-athlete awards and was the MVP of her team in 2015, while Little was voted the most athletic member of her senior class and earned numerous academic honors. Lucas was a high school valedictorian who earned all-state academic honorable mention and was an honorable mention all-conference performer.
Defensive specialists Rhylee Beshears (Gary, Ind./Hobart) and Alexandra Kartje (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) round out the newcomers. Beshears holds her high school's single-game and career digs records, participated in the Indiana East/West All-Star Game last year and earned all-conference honors. Kartje was a two-time all-conference performer who earned several team awards and earned academic all-conference honors.
"Our recruiting class this year is the strongest we have ever had top-to-bottom," said Wozniak. "Our rookies came in ripping the cover off the ball and have shown even more than we expected. We love that our underclassmen are not afraid to swing and it's already making our defense better in practice."
