Box Score NEW YORK - No. 21 Tiger Volleyball closes weekend with a victory over 20th-ranked New York University (NYU).
 
The Tigers (10-6, 3-1 SCAC) finished off their New York trip with a big 3-1 win over nationally ranked NYU. Despite dropping the first set, Trinity won three in a row to take the match. Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) led all hitters with 14 kills on a .429 hitting percentage. Pope also was tied for the team lead in solo blocks (3), as well as total points (17). Jozie Dhayer (Houston, Texas / Summer Creek) was all around the floor, leading Trinity in digs (8) and assists (22). The Tigers move their all-time record against New York to 4-1. 
 
The Rundown
 
Set one saw Trinity go down 7-1 early. Mackenzie Logan (Calgary, Canada / Bishop Carroll) put in two aces a few points later but that is one of only a few multi-point runs by Trinity. The Violets kept finding the hardwood and kept their big lead throughout the set. NYU took set one 25-12.
 
Trinity started slowly in set two, falling behind 4-1. However, Courtney Pope initiated a three-point run that tied the score at four. Although NYU regained the lead, the Tigers fought back with another three-point run, pulling ahead by two. Throughout the set, NYU would start a significant run, but Trinity's resilience shone through. Later in the set, with Trinity trailing 18-14, a kill by Pope ignited an 8-1 run, bringing the score to 20-18 in favor of Trinity. After a timeout, the Violets scored two points in a row, but Trinity quickly responded. The Tigers secured the final two points of the set, completing the comeback with a score of 25-23.
 
Set three began much like the end of set two, with both teams vying for the advantage. The Violets initially took a 6-5 lead, but Connelley McWilliams (Austin, Texas / St. Michael's) delivered a powerful swing that ignited Trinity's momentum, resulting in a 6-1 run that put them ahead 11-7. After a timeout, NYU managed to score, but Pope responded by leading the Tigers on a four-point streak, increasing their lead to 15-8. NYU called another timeout, but it couldn't halt Trinity's momentum. McWilliams pushed the Tigers to 20 points, but the Violets fought back with a 6-2 run, narrowing the gap to 23-19. Nonetheless, Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands) quickly secured a set point for Trinity. NYU was shaking in their boots when Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, California / Viewpoint) stepped to the service line. She expertly split two defenders, finding the back line to clinch the set for Trinity, 25-19.
 
The second and third sets boosted the Tigers' confidence as they entered set four. Whatley kicked things off for Trinity, leading the team to four straight points after NYU scored the opening point. The Violets quickly responded, launching a 4-1 run to tie the score at five. From there, the two evenly matched teams exchanged points back and forth. The Tigers scored two consecutive points and began to pull ahead, but NYU fought back. Trinity capitalized on several NYU errors, achieving their largest lead of the set at 18-15. However, the Violets not only closed the gap but also took the lead. Not to worry, though— the Tigers were ready to fight. Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) delivered a beautiful service ace, bringing the score back to even. Despite an NYU timeout, Trinity maintained their momentum. Mackenzie Logan and Taylor Starr (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) teamed up for a block, and then Big Mac slammed a ball to the floor, putting Trinity just one point away from victory. The Violets' outside hitter, seeing the Tiger block, became more nervous than a groundhog seeing its own shadow, hitting the ball into the net and giving Trinity the set and the match, 25-23.
 
Up Next
 
The Tigers will travel to Houston for an SCAC contest against St. Thomas on October 12th.