SAN ANTONIO - No. 12 Trinity Volleyball drops both matches to close out the 2025 Trinity National Invitational.
 
The Tigers (6-3) lost to both Whitworth and No. 10 East Texas Baptist on the final day of the National Invite. After narrowly losing in five sets to Whitworth, the Tigers lost to ETBU in four sets. 
 
Several Trinity Tigers stood out with top performances across the two matches against Whitworth and East Texas Baptist. Lily Long (Glenview, Illinois / New Trier) was the driving force offensively, tallying 29 total kills (19 vs. Whitworth, 10 vs. ETBU) while also contributing 25 digs, making her a consistent two-way threat. Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) joined her as a key offensive leader with 21 total kills, highlighted by 15 against Whitworth, and added a strong net presence with seven assisted blocks in that match alone. Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands) provided balance with 24 total kills across the two contests and added 21 digs, showing her ability to impact both sides of the ball.
 
From the setter position, Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, California / Viewpoint) directed the Tiger attack with 47 total assists, while also chipping in five service aces to surpass two statistical thresholds. Jozie Dhayer (Houston, Texas / Summer Creek) added another 36 assists to provide steady support in the offense. On the defensive end, Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) anchored the back row with 43 digs across the two matches. Rodriguez also earned another All-Tournament team selection, her third of the season. 
 
Game One - Trinity 2, Whitworth 3
 
Trinity jumped on top early behind Lily Long and Courtney Pope, then went on a five-point tear sparked by Jenna Rodriguez's serving. Rodriguez delivered an ace and kills from Taylor Starr (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) and Pope to push the Tigers ahead 7–3. Later, Starr added another kill and a service ace as part of another surge that made it 12–8. Trinity kept control down the stretch, with Annabelle Lanik (Sugar Land, Texas / St. John's) sealing the set with an ace followed by a Starr kill for a 25–19 win.
 
The second set was a grind. Trinity opened with a Pope kill and a quick 1-0 lead, but Whitworth answered with its own big run. The Tigers battled back with kills from Reagan Whatley and Connelley McWilliams (Austin, Texas / St. Michael's), and a service ace by Kendall DeRivel cut the deficit late. Long and Pope each landed clutch kills as Trinity clawed within 23–22, but the Pirates closed out the set 25–23 to even the match.
 
Momentum stayed tight in the third. Long delivered back-to-back aces as part of a four-point burst that gave Trinity a 7-6 lead. Later, Pope and Lauren McCarthy (Corrales, New Mexico / Horizon) joined forces on blocks, while Long and Pope kept the offense clicking. Still, Whitworth built separation midway through. Trinity closed to 22–20 on another Long kill, but the Pirates held off the rally to take it 25–22.
 
Trinity wasn't done yet. Early kills from Whatley and Starr set the tone, then Rodriguez strung together a service run that included an ace. Then, two straight points from a Lily Long ace and a McWilliams kill to stretch the lead to 11–7. Trinity finished on a Pope and Starr block to edge out a 26–24 victory.
 
In the deciding set, Whitworth got out to a big 7-2 start. Despite back-to-back aces from Dhayer and a block by McWilliams and Starr, Whitworth gained momentum after the midway switch. McCarthy added another block to cut the deficit to 12–10, but the Pirates finished the match 15–11.
 
Game Two - Trinity 1, ETBU 3
 
Trinity set the tone early in the opening frame against East Texas Baptist, jumping out to a 4-3 lead behind kills from Starr and Pop, along with a first-point ace from Kendall DeRivel. After a big run by ETBU to make it a 14-7 set, Trinity roared back with a six-point run of their own behind a block and kill from Long. A short surge backed by the big Trinity block extended the advantage to 22-19, forcing ETBU to call timeout. Pope sealed the deal with a decisive swing that capped a 25–22 win.
 
Momentum shifted in set two as ETBU rattled off a decisive run midway through, pulling away for a 25–18 win. Trinity managed to side out behind Courtney Pope and Taylor Starr, but errors late in the frame opened the door for the visitors to even the match.
 
The third set turned into a back-and-forth battle. Trinity surged ahead 20–18 after a stretch fueled by kills from Whatley and Long. Jenna Rodriguez anchored the defense with several digs to extend rallies, but ETBU capitalized late and narrowly escaped 26–24.
 
In the fourth, ETBU's momentum carried over as they built an early cushion. Trinity fought to stay close behind more kills from Long and a pair of points from Whatley but the visitors closed the match with a 25–15 decision.
 
Up Next
 
The Tigers will compete in their first-ever Southern Athletic Association (SAA) competition with an SAA Crossover against Berry, Centre, and Rhodes on September 20th and 21st in San Antonio.