Total Team Effort Fires Trojans Past Spring Arbor in Four Sets

UPLAND, Ind. – The Trojans bounced back from a pair of losses with a four-set victory over Spring Arbor (19-8, 6-8 CL) on Wednesday night inside Odle Arena behind a total team effort.

The first rally of the match, with each team registering four digs, set the tone for a defensive battle between two evenly matched squads. Taylor took the first point, and the squads traded points until Suzanne Storey stepped to the service line and began a 5-0 run, including an ace to give the home team a 16-12 advantage.

The Trojans continued to carry the lead until four consecutive points for the Cougars evened the score at 20, forcing a timeout.

The Purple and Gray rose to the challenge and took the final three points as Ellie Frey capped the set victory with her sixth kill of the opener en route to a game-high 21. The outside hitter added 16 digs, three blocks, and a trio of aces in an outstanding all-around showing.

Spring Arbor responded in the second with an early 9-4 lead, forcing a timeout. Taylor clawed back but was unable to get closer than a pair in the middle before the Cougars ran away with the second to level the match at one set apiece.

A vital third set began with Taylor in full control, leading 17-8 behind a team effort of kills, aces, and blocks. Spring Arbor got within five, but no closer as the home squad won the set 25-19.

Lindsay Springer stepped to the service line early in the fourth, trailing by one, but a 5-0 run fueled by three Frey kills and an ace put Taylor in control of the decisive set.

The Cougars got within one before four straight points were capped with a kill by Reagan Salzbrenner, who fired home nine kills and hit .231 in a great display from the senior.

The set got close again, but Frey snuffed out any hope for the visitors with a kill followed by a pair of aces to gain a commanding 23-18 lead. Ava Kraft finished off the match with the final two kills. The senior outside hitter matched her classmate, Salzbrenner, with nine kills and a .231 hitting percentage.

The back row for TU was outstanding, with McKaylah Flagle leading the charge with 20 digs as five Trojans reached double figures for a team total of 90. Joining Flagle in double digits was Frey (16), Springer (10), Margo Hernandez (14), and Mackenzie Gerig (19). Gerig's 19 were a season-high and came after matching her previous best of 17 the last time out.

No. 20 Taylor (17-9, 8-6 CL) takes to the road to face off with RV Marian (15-8, 7-7 CL) in its next match on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 4:00 pm.