Titans emerge victorious against Cougars at home
Oct. 20—The Titans haven't lost many sets against Region 7 opponents. In fact, they've only lost one set all year in region play.
They did drop one set to Heart River Tuesday night, but still emerged victorious against the Cougars, winning 3-1.
From the opening set, Heart River showed they would not go down easy and kept it close on Trinity. It was 21-19 in favor of the Titans before they pulled away 25-19.
In the beginning of the second set, it appeared that Trinity (20-7-2) would run away with yet another sweep victory. They gained a 7-0 advantage on a combination of their execution, highlighted by back-to-back aces from outside hitter Bella Kovash, as well as some costly mistakes from Heart River. They later extended their lead 16-6.
Middle hitter Olivia Kessel was, as her role is defined, in the middle of it all, leading the Titans in kills on the night with 11. Outside hitters Helena Pavek and Ava Jahner contributed 10 and 9 kills, respectively.
They took the second set 25-12 and looked to make light work of the Cougars in the third set.
But the visitors didn't let up in the third set and took an early 10-4 lead as the Titans struggled to slow down the Heart River attack.
"They caught us off guard a little bit, we were one step behind," Trinity head coach Breanna Sisson said. "Defensively we weren't able to play clean. They put us in a system so we couldn't be big at the net, I think that's why we fell short in the third set."
The Titans could never close the gap and were in a 18-6 deficit. Heart River prevailed for a 25-13 set win and cut Trinity's lead in half 2-1.
"They were moving the ball around well. They had some big swings on the outside. Their setter was putting the ball away as well. When your setter can be an offensive threat that can be troublesome. They were playing consistent and clean."
A much more determined Trinity side came out in the fourth set and took a commanding 13-5 lead. The Titans did a much better job of defending their half of the court. Five different players for Trinity had at least 7 digs, led by libero Jada Erie with 10. They were constantly under pressure all night.
They would finish off Heart River 25-10 in the final set for their 20th win of the season with just a handful of games left in the regular season.
Five different Titans recorded an ace, led by Kovash with 7. Their next match will be on the road next Tuesday, Oct. 26 against Beach.
TRINITY TEAM STATS
Kills — Olivia Kessel, 11; Helena Pavek, 10; Ava Jahner, 9; Delaney Deschamp, 5; Bella Kovash, Kali Kubas; 2.
Digs — Jada Erie, 10; Kubas, Jahner, 8; Jersey Erie, Victoria Keller, 7; Kessel, 2; Nevaeh Muckle, Deschamp, Kovash, 1.
Assists — Kubas, 32; Deschamp, 2; Ja. Erie, Keller, Pavek, 1.
Blocks — Jahner, 3; Kessel, 2.
Aces — Kovash, 7; Jahner, 3; Kubas, 2; Je. Erie, Keller, 1.
