On Nov. 16, No. 18 Tiger Volleyball took home the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title. The win marked the Tigers’” 22nd SCAC championship, and their last before Trinity University fully transitions to the Southern Athletic Association in 2025.
The Tigers had to defeat Schreiner University and Austin College in the quarter and semifinals to compete in the championship. Trinity took both games 3-1 on Nov. 15. Sophomore utility player Courtney Pope complimented the performance of her teammates.
“Against Austin College, our outsides Reagan [Whatley] and Mackenzie [Logan] did an amazing job and really did everything they could for us to win,” Pope said.
Their success earlier in the tournament placed the Tigers against the Southwestern Pirates in the championship. The Tigers led the first set until the very last point. Successive kills by fifth-year middle blocker Maddie Fate and Pope clinched the first set for the Tigers. The Pirates fought back in the second match and ultimately took the second set with a 10-point lead.
The Tigers answered in a very close third match. Fifth-year outside hitter Mackenzie Logan rallied three kills. The momentum carried the Tigers to a set point. Fate and Pope blocked Southwestern’s hit at the net, earning Trinity the third set. First-year right-side hitter Angelica Medina Saldana described the Tigers’ journey to make it to the finals.
“From start to finish in the tournament, we’ve shown incredible resilience against teams that really brought their best,” Medina Saldana said. “When challenges arose, we were able to overcome them because of the work we’ve consistently put in during practice. We have a deep understanding and respect for each other, and that’s what allows us to get the job done, no matter the circumstances.”
After a team huddle, the fourth set began. The score remained close in the first points of the match. A hit from Fate gave the team momentum to secure a more steady lead. The Pirates made multiple hitting errors and eventually brought the Tigers to the match point. First-year libero Annabelle Lanik set the ball, and sophomore right-side hitter Connelley McWilliams delivered the final hit to win the championship.
“All I was thinking is that ‘I am about to end this game right now.’ I wanted to hit it as hard as I could,” McWilliams said.
The Tigers’ performance in this tournament earned them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Fate spoke to the team’s success this season.
“This team has always consisted of really hard-working girls. We have been really tested this season, and throughout it, I think we all have seen such growth in so many areas of our game,” Fate said. “This tournament was really a moment where we got to see that flourish.”
Multiple players earned awards after the tournament for their performance this season. Fate was awarded SCAC Player of the Year. Logan won Tournament MVP for the first time in her career. Fate and Logan made the All-SCAC First Team. Junior libero Jenna Rodriguez, sophomore setter Kendall DeRivel and Courtney Pope made the All-SCAC Second Team. Finally, first-year middle blocker Taylor Starr was awarded SCAC Freshman of the Year. Maddie Fate responded to being awarded Player of the Year
“It feels amazing, and still shocking quite honestly. It is not something I was anticipating or even thought was a real possibility. Of course, it is a very rewarding feeling, but with the nature of my position on the court, it is not something I could have achieved on my own,” Fate said.
Julie Jenkins, Maggi Linker, Brad Bulycz and Marisa Amarino were awarded Coaching Staff of the Year. Connelley McWilliams commented on the coaches’ instrumental roles in the team’s success.
“Maggi always gives me really good advice and tips through the game,” McWilliams said. “Brad never lets me slack off on defense and really takes the time to analyze my swing and tell me what I can do to be better. Coach Jenkins pushes me to be my best and ignites intensity within me that I didn’t know I had. Marisa is a setting coach so she doesn’t coach me directly but I have not met a more supportive and encouraging person. She knows how to get me out of my head and make me feel better. They are the best coaches I could ask for.”
