Trojans Come Up Short in Five-Set Road Contest

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The Hannibal-LaGrange University volleyball team battled through five sets Tuesday afternoon but ultimately fell to Blackburn College, 3-2, on Oct. 13 at Dawes Gymnasium. The Trojans claimed the first two sets before Blackburn rallied to win the final three and secure the comeback victory.

Hannibal-LaGrange opened the match with a 25-20 win in the first set before edging Blackburn, 25-23, in the second to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Blackburn responded in the third set, earning a 25-12 victory before evening the match with a 25-15 win in the fourth.

With the match decided in a fifth set, the Trojans continued to compete, but Blackburn came away with a 15-12 victory to complete the comeback.

Summer Zelei led the Trojans offensively with 13 kills, while Jade Clay added 12 kills on 43 attacks. Zelei also recorded nine digs, and Clay contributed two block assists.

Brooke Rocca delivered a strong performance from the service line, finishing with six service aces to go along with four kills and 11 digs. Delaney Eggemeyer orchestrated the offense with 32 assists and added nine digs, while Jena Jobb contributed 16 digs and two service aces.

Hannibal-LaGrange finished the match with 44 kills, 39 assists, 11 service aces and 76 digs. Blackburn recorded 47 kills and 12 service aces, with Maddie Sidwell leading the way with 14 kills and six block assists.

The loss moves the Trojans to 8-13 overall and 5-4 in conference play, while Blackburn improves to 5-13 overall and 1-4 in conference action.