SAN ANTONIO — The #16 Trinity Tigers are set to make history this weekend as they host their first-ever Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference matches. The inaugural slate features Trinity vs. Rhodes.
Last weekend, the Tigers had strong performances. Senior libero
Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) earned All-Tournament honors after leading the team with 58 digs.
Lauren McCarthy (Corrales, N.M. / Horizon) was a force at the net, tallying 18 blocks and she is currently ranked second in all of Division III with 1.42 blocks per set. Freshman outside hitter
Lily Long (Glenview, Ill. / New Trier) powered the offense with 46 kills,
Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, California / Viewpoint) quarterbacked the team with 73 assists over the weekend. Trinity ranks #1 in the SAA in seven out of the 15 statistical categories.
AVCA Poll- Tigers at #16
In the national poll by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the Tigers are ranked 16th. There was some shakeup at the top this week with Wisconsin Whitewater taking over the #1 spot, followed by La Verne, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Juniata, and East Texas Baptist to round out the top 5.
This Weekend
The Tigers will open against Berry College, September 20th at 11:00 AM. Then, the squad will play Centre Saturday night at 7:00 PM. The Tigers will close the weekend on Sunday, September 21st at 1:00PM against Rhodes.
On Berry College Vikings:
Berry Volleyball is off to a dominant 8–1 start. Last weekend, they beat Georgia rival, #6 Emory. Setter Ava Brovet leads the team with 298 assists (8.76 per set), fueling a balanced attack led by Madie Whitehead (116 kills), Keira Kruk (84), and Lura Underwood (80). The Vikings also excel at the service line with 87 aces and maintain a strong defensive presence with 16.24 digs and 2.21 blocks per set. Andrea Hurt anchors the back row with 161 digs, while Cali Armstead leads at the net with 36 blocks.
On Centre Colonels:
Centre Volleyball is off to a strong 6–2 start, with their only two losses coming from ranked opponents against #21 Otterbein and #6 Washington and Lee. Madi Winfield leads with 196 assists, while Syd Bietz leads the team in kills (83) followed by Hollye Tate (52). Defensively, Emersyn Pannell anchors with 113 digs, and Mack Turner leads at the net with 26 blocks.
On Rhodes College Lynx:
Rhodes Volleyball travels to Texas with a 6-6 record. Their setter, Emma Clark, leads with 200 assists, and Caroline Short powers the offense with 136 kills. Olivia Wiseman anchors the defense with 189 digs. Rachel Clarke defends the net with team-high 15 blocks.
Up Next
The Tigers will spend a weekend in Georgia for another SAA crossover against Oglethorpe, Sewanee, and Millsaps on Septemebr 27th and 28th.
