SAN ANTONIO — The Trinity University Volleyball team is set to launch its 2025 campaign this Friday, August 29, on the newly dedicated Julie Jenkins Court. Trinity will host the Trinity Fall Classic, welcoming #12 Millikin University, #23 New York University (NYU), and #13 University of Wisconsin–Platteville to Calgaard Gym.

Last Season

The Tigers enter the season following a strong 2024 performance, finishing with a 26–7 overall record (14-1 SCAC), a SCAC Conference Championship, and a deep postseason run. The Tigers continued their NCAA tournament streak, reaching the regional championship match for the fifth year in a row.

Trinity ranked third nationally in total blocks (322.5) and saw three players earn AVCA All-American honors: Maddie Fate (New York, New York / Croton Harmon) was named to the Second Team, while Mackenzie Logan (Calgary, Canada / Bishop Carroll) and Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Defensively, Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) led the team with 598 digs, while Courtney Pope contributed 261 kills, second-most on the squad. Taylor Starr (Southlake, Texas / Carroll), the SCAC Freshman of the Year, added 127 blocks, and Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, California / Viewpoint) paced the team in both aces (69) and assists (710).

AVCA Poll

Trinity opens the season ranked #10 nationally in the AVCA preseason poll. Juniata earned the coveted #1 spot, followed by Wisconsin Whitewater, Hope, Johns Hopkins, and Emory to make up the top 5 spots. Regional contenders mentioned include La Verne (#7), East Texas Baptist University (#14) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (#15). SAA rivals, Southwestern and Berry, did not make the final list, but received votes.

Weekend Matchups

The Tigers will kick off their season on Friday, 8/29 at 6:00 PM versus Millikin University. The following day, they will face NYU in the morning at 11:00 AM and close out the weekend against University of Wisconsin- Platteville at 5:00 PM. 

On #12 Millikin University Big Blue: In 2024, the team posted an impressive 31-6 record. They fell short of the CCIW Conference Title but received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In their postseason run, they reached the conference championship but lost to Hope University. The team had a large senior class, graduating nine players including Outside Hitter, Kailee Itzenhuiser, who led the team in kills and was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention recipient. The team also lost their best defender, Sophia Howell, who led the team in digs. As a team, they ranked in the top 10 in digs, kills, and assists nationally. Trinity holds a 1–0 all-time record against Millikin, last defeating the Big Blue in four sets during the 2018 season. 

On #23 NYU Violets: The Violets finished 2024 with a 22–13 record and earned an at-large bid to the post-season tournament. They reached the regional quarterfinals and were defeated by MIT. NYU lost their best defensive player, Yooni Park, who led the team in digs with 696. This season, she is stepping into a new role and will be on the bench as an assistant coach. The Violets also lost their starting Setter, Dominique Drust, who was second on the team in assists, and Middle Blocker Taylor Odum who was second on the team in total blocks. They have a lot of height on their team and used it to their advantage at the net, ranking #7 in the nation in blocks. Grace Nelson, Taylor Odum, and Yooni Park earned coveted spots on the AVCA All-American team, receiving honorable mentions. The Tigers defeated NYU in four sets last season and holds a 4-1 historical record against the Violets. 

On #13 Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers: Platteville had a strong 2024 season and are looking promising going into opening weekend. Last year, the team posted a 27–7 record and advanced to the regional finals, losing to Wisconsin- Whitewater who ultimately competed in the national championship match. The Pioneers have a strong senior trio with Setter Gracie Gibbens quarterbacking their offense, recording an impressive 1,114 assists, with help from her fellow senior, Middle Blocker Kierney McDonald. Gibbens will not have Outside Hitter Emma Carlson to set this season who led their team in kills. Defensively, Bri Gartner is back in the Libero jersey for her senior season. She captained the defense and led her squad with 539 digs. It has been a long time since these two teams have faced each other, but Trinity leads the historical series 2–0, with wins in 2003 and 2011
 
Looking Ahead
 
Trinity will travel to Newport News, Virginia to face Christopher Newport, Bridgewater, and William Patterson.