The Trinity University volleyball team has wrapped up another successful season. Among other victories, the team came away with a SCAC championship, their 18th overall and third in the last four years, beating nationally ranked teams such as No. 6 Colorado College and No. 5 Southwestern University.
The women started off their season strong, going up against multiple nationally ranked teams and sweeping tournaments like the Trinity Fall Classic, in which the girls finished with four 3 to 0 sweeps. Despite having a relatively young team, the girls felt improved compared to years past.
“I think a huge improvement from years past was balanced scoring. We had players in every position contributing to the team’s kills versus relying solely on one or two players,” said senior setter Erika Edrington.
Going forward in the season, the girls split matches at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh invitational, narrowly losing 3-2 to No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The girls then took second at the Trinity National Invitational behind Univeristy of Massachusetts at Boston.
The volleyball team peaked at the SCAC championship, where the girls swept through the competition leading up to their final match against No. 5 Southwestern University. The girls started the game off with a tight loss in the first set, and after closing a five-point gap mid-game, Southwestern won 25 to 18.
In the second match, the Tiger’s made their comeback. The team started off down 16-13, but came back strong to win the set 25-23. After that set, the girls continued the streak, winning their third set 25-14, and their fourth set 25-20.
After their SCAC championship, the girls traveled up to UT Dallas for the NCAA Division III Regional matches. Their first match was against Hendrix College, where the Tigers came away with a 3-1 loss. The Tiger’s lost their first set 25-21, but came back fighting the second set, winning 25-18. However, Hendrix College came back stronger the final two sets, taking the win with a hard-fought 25-15 third set, and a 25-22 fourth set.
Despite the loss, the team had an overall successful season. The Tigers feel they have met many of their goals, and that there is a lot to be proud of.
“Our main goal this year was to win a SCAC championship which we did accomplish. Of course, a goal for us was to win regionals as well, but I think regardless of what happened there we have a lot to be proud of. We had a successful season,” said junior Rebecca Hayes.
Aside from just team accomplishments, the girls had many strong individuals. Head coach Julie Jenkins was chosen as SCAC co-coach of the year. Four girls received all-SCAC honors, including senior Erika Edrington and juniors Madeline McKay, Kirby Smith and Rebecca Hayes. The success of the individual players, especially that of the juniors who will be returning for next season, leaves the team hopeful and excited about seasons to come.
“I think since we will have our whole team back except Erika, who we will miss, we have a great shot at going further in the tournament than we did this year. We will focus on being an even better team than we were this year. We will have lots of experience. And I think everyone is looking forward to winning another conference championship, which is the plan,” said Smith.
