Volleyball team defeats Trine in four sets

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College volleyball team defeated Trine (Ind.) University in four sets (25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19) this evening at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. Combined with Alma's loss to Hope and Saint Mary's win over Kalamazoo, Olivet has moved into sole possession of third-place in the MIAA standings with a 5-4 record.

The Comets never trailed in the first set, leading it by as many as 10 points, 21-11. Trine reeled off seven straight points to cut its deficit down to three points, 21-18. Olivet answered with four consecutive points to win the set, 25-18. After a 4-4 tie in the second set, the Thunder scored the next two points and never looked back, winning it 25-19.

The third set featured a series of mini runs for both teams. Olivet led the set 19-16 before Trine scored four of the next five points to trim the Comet lead to 21-20. The teams traded points until a kill by junior Emma Brann ended the set, 25-23.

The Comets scored the first point of the fourth set and never were behind for the rest of the set. Their biggest lead of the set was eight points at 23-15.

For the match, Olivet hit .111 to .090 for the Thunder. The Comets totaled 45 kills. Senior Stefanie Lang led the way with 14, while Brann contributed 10. Lang had only four errors on 26 attempts for a match-high .385 attacking percentage. Brann served two of the team's four service aces.

Senior Tina Westendorp and junior Megan VanderVlucht each collected 16 digs. Freshman Danielle Bearden dished out 17 set assists, while junior Taylor Pringle had 13 assists.

Olivet will rest tonight and then travel tomorrow to play Hope College at 4:30 p.m.