Volleyball team downed by Trine in four sets

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College volleyball team was defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Trine (Ind.) University in four sets tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. After the Thunder won the first set, 26-24, the Comets evened the match with a 25-15 win in the second set. Trine won the match by winning the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-11.

The early stages first set was back-and-forth with neither team leading by more than two points. The Thunder took the largest lead for either team at 21-18. Olivet tied the set at 21-21 on a service error and back-to-back aces by sophomore Courtney Cronkright.

The teams traded points until Trine took a 24-22 lead. The Comets fought off two set points to tie the set at 24-24. A Thunder kill and an Olivet attack error provided the winning points for Trine.

The Comets never trailed in the second set, building their lead to as many as 11 points on four occasions late in the set. Olivet had a three-point lead, 6-3, in the third set, and continued to lead at 7-6. After an 8-8 tie, the Thunder scored four straight points to take a 12-8 lead and did not relinquish it for the rest of the set.

Trine held a 9-5 advantage in the fourth set. Three consecutive points made the score 9-8, but the Comets would not get any closer.

For the match, Olivet was held to a .059 attack percentage, while the Thunder hit at a .153 clip. Sophomore Allison Turner led the Comets with a match-high 15 kills. Senior Marissa Guile joined her in double figures with 10 kills. Junior setter Danielle Bearden posted a double-double with team-highs in set assists (34) and digs (19). Junior Mona Hinamanu collected 17 digs.

Olivet now prepares for a road MIAA match Friday night at Adrian College. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.