Posted: Nov 10, 2023
SHERMAN, Texas -- Top-seeded Trinity University battled past a raucous crowd and an Austin College squad buoyed by that support and advanced to its record 23rd SCAC Volleyball title match with a 3-1 victory in Friday's first semifinal contest. Official Championships Website | Photo Album | Tournament Stats | Interview w/ Trinity University Head Coach Julie Jenkins and junior outside hitter Reagan Whatley
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After Austin College evened the first set at 21-21, Trinity reeled off four straight points to take 25-21 win and a 1-0 lead.
- With Austin College holding a 24-20 lead, Trinity won three straight points to close to 24-23 before the 'Roos' TJ Folse charted her fifth kill of the set to close out the set at 25-23 and even the match at 1-1.
- Trailing 16-14 in the third set, Trinity scored eight consecutive points to open up a 22-16 lead and earn the eventual 25-20 win to go up 2-1.
- Trinity jumped out to a 10-2 lead and was never seriously threatened in the fourth set, wrapping up the match with a 25-14 victory.
- Trinity outhit Austin College, .333 to .134 and forced the 'Roos into 29 turnovers.
TRINITY UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Mackenzie Logan: 18 kills, .359 hitting percentage, 3 blocks 2 service aces
- Reagan Whatley: 14 kills, 17 digs, 2 blocks
- Taylor Starr: 7 kills, 5 digs, 5 blocks
- Courtney Pope: 8 kills, 1 block
- Jozie Dhayer: 26 assists, 9 digs
AUSTIN COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- TJ Folse: 11 kills, 11 digs
- Rachel Sadler: 11 kills
- Madison Manning: 21 assists, 12 digs
- Laynie Kovacs: 3 assists, 2 service aces, 19 digs
NOTABLES
- Trinity will return to the SCAC title match for a record 23rd time. In those 22 previous appearances, the Tigers are 14-8 and are the defending champions of the event, having defeated Colorado College, 3-0, in last year's title game.
- Two of the longest standing conference members, Trinity improved to 7-0 all-time against Austin College in tournament play. The Tigers have only matched up more times against Centre College (nine times) and Southwestern (16 times) in postseason conference play.
- Trinity is 66-12 all-time in SCAC tournament play while Austin College slips to 18-23.
- Trinity is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back SCAC volleyball tournament titles since Colorado College in 2017 and 2018.
- Austin College ends its season with a 21-14 mark.
UP NEXT
With the win, Trinity improves to 23-6 and will square off against the winner of Southwestern and St. Thomas in tomorrow afternoon's SCAC championship match. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.
