The Trinity women’s volleyball team swept the competition this past weekend at the Randolph-Macon Invitational in Ashland, Va., where they finished with a 3-1 mark.
The weekend opened with the Tigers defeating Maryville College and Virginia Wesleyan University by scores of 3-0. Trinity first defeated Maryville 25-19, 25-13 and 25-14 to open the day, and then took out Virginia Wesleyan University 25-16, 25-17 and 25-16 to close its part in the tournament on Friday.
Junior outside hitter Layne Hubbard recorded a double-double against Maryville, chalking up 10 kills and 10 digs to go with a pair of aces. Hubbard hit .529 for the match, committing just one error in 17 total attacks. Hubbard later registered 10 kills and nine digs against Virginia Wesleyan. Senior setter Maryn Swierc accounted for 30 assists total for the day, and first year setter Erika Edrington added 12 assists in the Virginia Wesleyan University match.
Overall, the Tiger team hit .314 against Virginia Wesleyan University, tallying 41 kills and just nine errors in 102 attacks.
“It’s going to be a great season. We are all looking forward to breezing through conference and hopefully just going up from here,” Hubbard said.
Trinity’s volleyball team split its Saturday afternoon matches at the Randolph-Macon Invitational, falling to Emory University 3-1, but finishing strong with a 3-1 win over Averett University.
Trinity lost 22-25, 25-27, 30-28 and 14-25 against Emory to open the day, but came back to earn a win of 25-22, 25-23, 23-25 and 25-12 over Averett to conclude the tournament.
Four Tiger players led the way with double-doubles against Emory, including a team-best of 15 kills and 12 digs from junior outside hitter Maggie Emodi. Hubbard also nabbed 10 kills to go with 16 digs, while Swierc finished with 25 assists and 15 digs. Edrington added 18 assists and 11 digs as well.
Sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Price led Trinity with 19 digs in the match against Averett, while junior middle blocker Erin Cusenbary added 10 kills. Cusenbary also finished with four blocks, but Emodi and senior middle blocker Kelsey Daniel led the team with five blocks each against the Eagles.
The Trinity Tigers volleyball team concluded the weekend on Sunday by defeating the host Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets 3-0.
“I had a lot of proud moments from this weekend. I think the one that really stood out in my mind was when we beat Randolph-Macon in three. We really followed the game plan through and through without backing down in any of the games. I think as a team we showed a lot of maturity and perseverance,” said assistant volleyball coach Aly Hazelwood ’09.
Emodi hit .407 in Sunday’s match, by producing 13 kills, committing only two errors, and making 27 total attacks. Emodi also accounted for seven digs.
Cusenbary was the blocks leader, with 10. Edrington dished out 12 assists, along with four digs. Swierc had 11 assists and six digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Shannon Courtney racked up nine digs and three service aces in the match.
After such a successful weekend, the team is confident that the season will continue to be a positive one.
“I am really excited to see how well we do this season because I know we are already off to a great start with team chemistry and our will to win. I know our team goal is to win conference and that is very attainable if we keep training how we are now,” Price said.
The Tigers will host the Trinity National Invitational today and tomorrow. First up will be Berry College at 3 p.m. today, followed by Hardin-Simmons, at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the schedule begins with Whitworth at 12:15 p.m., and concludes at 5 p.m. with Chapman.
