The Trinity volleyball team began SCAC games this past weekend, Sept. 19- 20, in a sweep with wins over Southwestern, Schreiner and TLU.
After these wins, the Tigers improve to an overall season record of 11-4 and are undefeated in their last six games.
On Friday, Sept. 19, the team opened play against Southwestern, where they pulled out the win in the fifth game, 3-2.
“That first match was just [a] great defensive match for both teams; it wasn’t a particularly good match offensively for either team. Shannon Courtney had 34 digs on the match”¦and Layne Hubbard had a great defensive match and had 32 digs. Both of those players were the key to our ball control,” said head coach Julie Jenkins.
The Tigers played two games on Saturday, Sept. 20, first against TLU then against Schreiner. The Tigers fell in the first match against TLU but won the next three to win 3-1. The ladies then swept Schreiner 3-0.
Junior Shannon Courtney was named SCAC volleyball defensive player of the week after her 34 digs against Southwestern, 21 against TLU and six against Schreiner in one set. Courtney’s 34 digs are fourth best in school history and a personal best. After these games she leads the team with 254 digs for the season.
The Tigers viewed their defense and ability to use all hitters on offense as their biggest strengths.
“Our biggest strengths were blocking. The whole team blocked really well…so I think blocking defense gave us an edge over some of the teams we played this weekend. Our team is good at running every hitter and spreading out the offense so teams have a harder time defending us,” said senior Erin Cusenbary.
These wins come after a series of games at the beginning of the season including losses to No. 2Cal Lutheran, No. 13 Pacific Lutheran and No. 3 Emory and a win against 19th ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Jenkins says that the team’s goal is to play the hardest competition possible throughout the season to prepare the team.
“We always play as tough a schedule as possible. Our record may not show us winning 95% of our matches, we could easily have a much higher win percentage but we choose to play the toughest schedule as possible and it pays off in the long run, it always has,” Jenkins said.
Next up, the Tigers head to Shreveport, La., Sept. 27-28, to play Centenary, Dallas, Austin and No. 10 ranked Colorado College.
Heading into these games the Tigers want to continue their strong defense and aggressive offense.
“We are well prepared and excited for this weekend. Our biggest focus is…to come out with more aggressive serves in the first set and continue to make our serve receive and defense a priority,” said sophomore Natalie Perez.
