Volleyball team opens MIAA play with thrilling five-set win at Trine

ANGOLA, Ind. -- In a battle of first-year head coaches, Lynnette Moster and the Olivet College volleyball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play tonight with a thrilling five set win against Trine (Ind.) University in Angola, Ind. After Trine won the first set, 25-19, the Comets rebounded to win the second set 25-23. The Thunder then won the third set 27-25. After falling behind 12-10 in the fourth set, Olivet scored 15 of the last 18 points to win it, 25-15. The Comets rallied to win the fifth and deciding set, 15-13.

Junior Jordy Bergeron (Muskegon/Mona Shores) powered the front attack with 12 kills. Sophomore Sam Gibson (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) also reached double figures in kills with 11. Sophomore Ashley Grimes (Concord) added nine kills. Sophomore Tori King (Ash Grove, Mo.) finished with seven kills to go along with eight blocks. Gibson topped the defense with 16 digs, while sophomore Cassie McDonald (Battle Creek/Pennfield) and junior Mallory Schug (Climax/Galesburg Augusta) had 10 apiece.

"It felt great to get this win," said Moster. "The win was a total team effort. We got off to a slow start in the first set but rebounded with a nice win in the second set. The third set was a battle and in the fourth, we were clicking on all cylinders. After getting down in the final set, we fought back and got some huge points in the end from Jordy."

The Comets next play on Friday at defending league champion Hope College at 6:30 p.m. Olivet then has its home-opener Saturday against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 1 p.m.