Entering Friday night, Trinity Christian College men's volleyball (18-12) was the only team that had taken a set against #12 Saint Xavier University (25-9). Back on March. 15, the Trolls forced four sets before ultimately falling.
In Friday's CCAC Semifinals, Trinity Christian College had the volleyball world on high alert. The Trolls took a 2-1 lead and were a set away from pulling off the upset. Saint Xavier responded though and the Cougars won the final two sets, 25-20 and 15-7.
Sophomore Alex Costa had 21 kills to lead Trinity Christian and senior Adam Becker anchored the defense with eight digs. The Trolls struggled to contain the three-headed monster of Grant Ooms, Kyle Springer and Shane Ooms. All three Cougars had 12 or more kills.
After the first set, it looked like Saint Xavier was going to run away with another three-set sweep. Saint Xavier won the first set 25-17. In set two, the drama began to unfold. Costa took a huge swing for a kill and Trinity led 15-8. Saint Xavier called timeout, but could never recover. Sophomore Mike Hay and freshman Matt Kentner combined for a block to end it, and the Trolls won the set 25-19.
With Trinity leading 8-6 early in the second set, the Trolls rattled off a 7-2 run to lead 15-8. The Cougars battled back, and with Trinity leading 19-17, sophomore Ryan Schmidt found Hay for a kill. It gave Trinity some breathing room at 20-17. Schmidt led the Trolls with 30 assists.
Another Hay Kill later in the match put the Trolls on the doorstep at 24-23. Saint Xavier tied it at 24 and the Trolls eventually fended off the Cougars. Becker collected a service ace and the Trolls fans erupted. Trinity took a 2-1 lead after a 27-25 victory in the third set.
In the fourth set, Hay provided some punch with an important kill to make it just a 14-12 lead for Saint Xavier. Trinity couldn't get over the hump though as Saint Xavier continued to answer the call. The Cougars won the fourth set, 25-20.
Saint Xavier led 8-6 in the final set and, with Kyle Springer serving, the Cougars went on a 7-1 run to end the night and secure a spot in the CCAC Championship.
NOTES & NUMBERS:
- Costa went for 20 kills and finishes the season with over 500 kills. He had 504 kills and now sits at 738 kills for his career.
- Ostema had six blocks, five were assisted. He ends his Trinity career with 343 blocks and 636 kills.
- Becker ends his career with 781 digs.
- Schmidt ends the year with seven matches of 30 or more assists.
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