Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 No. 18 Tiger Volleyball advances to the SCAC Championship with wins over Schreiner and Austin College. 
 
The Tigers (23-6, 14-1 SCAC) defeated Schreiner (Quarterfinals) and Austin College (Semifinals) in four sets. Mackenzie Logan (Calgary, Canada / Bishop Carroll) was an offensive mastermind, collecting 35 kills in eight sets (4.375 kills per set). Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands) had the second-highest kill total with 19 while Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) had 17 kills. Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) led Trinity defensively with 36 digs in two matches. The setting duo of Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, California / Viewpoint) and Jozie Dhayer (Houston, Texas / Summer Creek) combined for 79 assists, DeRivel with 44 and Dhayer with 35. The Tigers totaled 24 blocks, led by Maddie Fate (New York, New York / Croton Harmon) who had 9.5 blocks on the day. This will be Trinity's second-consecutive year in the Championship match, and they will be looking to hoist their 22nd SCAC Championship trophy. 
 
Game One - Trinity 3, Schreiner 1
 
Schreiner started strong with a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Although the Tigers battled to narrow the gap, the Mountaineers responded with a dominant 7-1 run, extending their lead to 10-5. Schreiner later went on another surge, increasing their lead to nine points. Despite Trinity adding points intermittently, the deficit was too large to overcome, and Schreiner claimed the first set 25-15. 
 
After an inspiring speech from head coach Julie Jenkins, the Tigers came out seeking vengeance. The two squads traded blows like magicians, pulling tricks out of their hats to keep each other on their toes. With Schreiner leading 13-12, the Tigers found the gas pedal. Maddie Fate slammed a ball to the floor to tie the match, then helped Trinity score two more points to take a 15-13 lead. Looking to extend their advantage, the Tigers turned to their bread and butter. Fate delivered another key kill during a streak of four consecutive Trinity points. A few plays later, the Tigers clinched the set on a Schreiner service error, 25-21.
 
Set three began on shaky ground for the Tigers, as the Mountaineers jumped to a 4-2 lead. However, Courtney Pope and Mackenzie Logan quickly turned the tide. With contributions from Pope and Logan, and an ace from Jenna Rodriguez, the Tigers went on a five-point run to seize a 7-4 advantage. Later, with the score at 14-12, the Tigers found their stride and went on the prowl. A dominant nine-point streak, featuring two kills from Logan and three blocks by Maddie Fate, pushed Trinity firmly into control. Logan and Taylor Starr (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) closed out the set with back-to-back points, securing a commanding 25-13 victory. 
 
With a trip to the conference semifinals within reach, the Tigers started strong, taking an 8-5 lead. Schreiner narrowed the gap to two points, but Courtney Pope delivered a clutch kill to restore a three-point cushion. Following a Schreiner service error, the Tigers went on a decisive 6-1 run, leaving them just five points from victory. At match point, Mackenzie Logan received a set from Dhayer and delivered a cross-court shot that made the crowd erupt. The Tigers clinched set four 25-19, sealing their spot in the semifinals.
 
Game Two - Trinity 3, Austin 1
 
Set one began where the previous match left off, with a kill by Mackenzie Logan. The Tigers jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but Austin College quickly tied it up, and the seesaw battle began. The teams traded points until kills by Courtney Pope and Logan gave Trinity a key two-point edge. Each time the Roos attempted a comeback, the Tigers found ways to reclaim those precious two points. Late in the set, Trinity seized control. Reagan Whatley and Pope extended the lead from two to four, bringing the score to 21-17. Fittingly, Pope delivered the final blow of the set, sealing a 25-21 victory for the Tigers.
 
Riding their momentum, the Tigers started off set two 4-0. However, AC hopped their way back into the set, tying it at eight apiece. The two squads must've loved the playground because they hopped on the seesaw once again. Later in the set, the Roos went on a crucial 5-2 swing that gave them a 21-16 lead. Despite a valiant effort from Trinity, Austin College won set two 25-23. 
 
After a brief intermission, the teams were back to their regularly scheduled programming, on the seesaw. After jumping to a 9-5 lead, Austin College seemed confident they had control. However, the Tigers remained unfazed. Led by Mackenzie Logan, Trinity roared back to tie the set at 10. The Roos briefly reclaimed a three-point advantage, but Reagan Whatley, Logan, and Maddie Fate quickly erased it. Logan was breathing fire, leading the Tigers through a seven-point run that extended their lead to 22-16. Courtney Pope sealed the set giving the Tigers a 25-20 victory in set three.
 
The seesaw was no more, the Tigers stormed out of the gates in set four 6-0. Trinity continued their utter domination, going up as big as 15-4. After another kill by Logan, the Tigers had reached 20 points before Austin College could reach 10 points. Whatley put the match to a close and there was nothing else to say but victory, sweet victory. Tigers win 25-14.
 
Up Next
 
The Tigers will play either Southwestern or St. Thomas in the SCAC Championship tomorrow at 3:00 PM