The No. 12 Tigers put on an absolute show on day one of the 2023 Trinity Fall Classic. The Tigers started the day with a 3-1 victory over Franklin & Marshall, then claimed the 3-0 sweep over Region 10 rival Pomona-Pitzer.
 
In her first game back, senior outside hitter Mackenzie Logan (Calgary, Canada / Bishop Carroll) was electric, leading in kills for the day. The big block of the Tigers proved why they are ranked 8th nationally in blocks per set, with 36 total blocks over the two games.
 
Game One: Trinity 3, Franklin & Marshall 1
 
Set one started a little slow for the Tigers, going down 2-0 early. However, they would go on to tie it and then the biggest run for the Diplomats would come on a four-point swing that put them up 6-4. The Tigers battled and battled, but could not take the lead until late in the set when a kill from Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands) would put the Tigers up 20-19. The Diplomats would go on a 6-3 run to close the set and win 23-25. 
 
Losing the first set only fueled the Tigers' desire to win. They came out hot and went up 2-0. The Diplomats would not go down easy, though, going on a huge six-point run to go up 16-12. However, Head Coach Julie Jenkins would put in her go-to energizer Brette Thornton (Rockwall, Texas / Rockwall) and she would be just the push that the Tigers needed, blocking a ball to the floor on the very next point. The Tigers weren't done just yet, they would go on an enormous 8-2 run that put them up 22-20 and in the driver's seat to win the set. It would be a crucial 24-22 set point, and the Tigers knew that it was a first-year's time to shine, Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) put the ball away and the Tigers would take the set 25-22.
 
Set three saw the Diplomats go up 6-1 before the crowd could even blink an eye. The Tigers called up Maddie Fate (Croton on Harmon, New York / Croton Harmon) and she would go to work. BAM! Block by Fate. Then before you know it, Fate had sent four balls to the floor and the scoreboard showed 16-13 in favor of the Tigers. The points would swing back and forth yet again, but the Tigers were determined to take the set lead. Since a first-year finished off set two, the Tigers decided that the same thing would happen in set three. First-year Connelley McWilliams (Austin, Texas / St. Michael's) lasered the ball to the floor and the Tigers took the set 25-21.
 
The Tigers came out a little cold in set four, going down 6-4. Then Whatley and Pope turned up the thermostat and led the Tigers on a five-point swing to go up 9-6. The Diplomats kept fighting and eventually brought it back to 12 all. Just then, a block by McWilliams and Fate would fire up the train. That train would steamroll to an 11-7 run in favor of the Tigers. As the ball was about to fly over the net during set point, two hands rose up and sent the ball back where it came from and the crowd erupted. You could hear the sound of the announcer "BLOCK MADDIE FATE, SET AND MATCH TIGERS". The Tigers would win the set 25-19 and take the match. 
 
The Tiger block was fantastic, totaling 24 team blocks. That was good enough to put them tied for second all-time for blocks in a match, only 4 behind the highest total. Fate led the way with 9 total blocks. Whatley had a great match, leading the team in kills with 11 and Logan right behind her with 10. 
 
Game Two: Trinity 3, Pomona-Pitzer 0
 
This match between Region 10 rivals started just the way the Tigers wanted, with a 10-3 lead. From that very moment, it was all Tigers. The Tigers would out-score the Sagehens 15-9 through the end of the set. The Tigers would share the ball with everyone, led by setters Jozie Dhayer (Houston, Texas / Summer Creek) and Marisa Amarino (Calabasas, California / Notre Dame Prep).
 
Set two was shaky for the Tigers, but the two middle-blockers would get the crowd on their feet. First, a block by Fate and then two service aces by Thornton would see the Tigers go up 17-16. The Tigers would ambush the Sagehens and it was time to get the popcorn ready. Logan subbed in and scored three points in a row before you could say Tigers. Fifth-year Nadia Kern (El Paso, Texas / Montwood) would ace a serve to finish out the set and it would end being 25-19 to the Tigers. 
 
The Tigers dug into set three ready to put the match away. Thornton would get the party started as the Tigers got out to an early 6-3 lead. The serve would change hands multiple times until the Sagehens took the lead 12-13. After another kill by Thornton, the Tigers gave the serve to the San Antonio native, Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian). She would collect the ace of diamonds, clubs, and hearts as she brought the Tigers up 18-15. After that, the Tigers would coop the Sagehens after Fate put a ball to the floor to send Pomona-Pitzer packing. The set would end 25-20 to the Tigers. 
 
Logan would have a great game, leading the team with 12 kills. Defensively, it would be Kern and Rodriguez that would lead the team with 12 digs each. Amarino and Dhayer would combine for 34 total assists.
 
Up Next: Trinity Fall Classic - Day Two
 
The Tigers wrap up the 2023 Trinity Fall Classic tomorrow as they take on Whittier College at 12:15 PM and finally end with a clash against the No. 13 MIT Engineers at 7:00 PM.