Marathon Sets Go Lancers’ Way in Narrow Defeat

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – After defeating No. 21 Grace in the opening set Wednesday evening, the Taylor volleyball squad had the Lancers on the ropes but could not close out the second or third frames in a 3-1 loss.

The match's first set saw both teams struggle at times to find their rhythms, but with the score knotted at 20, TU took advantage of several attack errors from the hosts down the stretch to win it, 25-21.

Taylor and Grace (8-2, 2-1 CL) went back-and-forth in the second game, though the Trojans were behind most of the set. Trailing 24-22, the Purple and Grey came back to force extra points as Reagan Salzbrenner and Grace Ieremia led a furious charge. The Lancers seemed to have an answer for every punch, however, and they ultimately overcame a 33-32 deficit to win the 68-point marathon set.

TU rallied from down 4-0 in the third set, finding its stride to command a 23-17 advantage and put itself on the brink of a 2-1 lead over the NAIA's 21st-ranked team. Things then went awry for the Trojans shortly following a timeout by Grace, as the Lancers flipped the script to take the set, 26-24.

Taylor had a number of hitters contribute in the first half of the fourth frame as it opened up a small margin, but the Lancers put the match away down the stretch.

Four Trojans recorded 10 or more kills, led by Reagan Kleiman's 13. Ava Kraft had 11 successful swings in just three sets played, while Ieremia and Salzbrenner notched 10 apiece.

Lindsay Springer assisted on 44 kills while also having 14 digs, second on the team to McKaylah Flagle's 27 digs. Jen Springer also reached double-digit digs with a dozen.

TU finished the match with nine total blocks, as Salzbrenner took part in six blocks, followed by Jaylynn Dunsmore with four block assists and a solo block and Alexa Mader with three blocks.

Taylor (6-9, 1-2 CL) travels to play at Huntington (9-5, 1-2) Saturday with the opening serve at 3 p.m. ET.