For The Tribune
The Trinity Lutheran High volleyball team had another dominating performance as it defeated South Decatur in three sets Monday night at the Bollinger Athletic Complex.
Trinity was able to secure the win by dominating South Decatur 25-8, 25-9, 25-10 on senior night.
Trinity coach Chelsea Stroub said she was happy with the way the team played and that she was glad she could play all the seniors on what could have been their last home game.
“I think we played really well tonight,” she said. “I was playing a lot of my seniors, so they were like playing different positions, but they did really well with that.”
Trinity started the first set on a quick seven-point run by senior Haylee Barker to bring the team to 8-2 over South.
Trinity lost possession before getting the ball back quickly on a Decatur fault.
After some back-and-forth between the two teams, senior Taylor Reynolds scored four straight points on South to bring the score to 21-7. Trinity ended up taking the set 25-8.
The second set went back-and-forth until Trinity went up 10-6.
Senior Hayley Carter then took the ball and scored 10 points –- the longest scoring streak of the night for both teams — to bring the set to 20-7.
South scored one point before giving the possession back to Trinity.
Barker scored three points to bring it to 24-8 before South Decatur took the ball back.
South lost the set point on the first serve when Reynolds spiked the ball to win the set 25-9.
Trinity took the third set 25-10 and jumped to a quick 8-5 lead when junior Emma Patmore took the ball and scored six straight points to bring the score to 15-7.
After losing possession, Trinity earned the ball back and brought the game 17-8.
Reynolds and Barker combined for the final points of the set.
Stroub said while the team always had control of the game, her job was to keep the girls focused throughout the night.
“It’s very easy to not be focused or to play down to a different level, so we were just trying to keep our level of play up and stay focused,” she said.
The first-year coach said she was happy the team had a great night on senior night because it is special for those who will not be with the team next year.
Stroub he said it was bittersweet to see the girls play their last regular season home game of their high school careers.
“It’s a sad feeling, but they are great girls,” she said.
Carter said it was a great experience to bring home a win on senior night because the girls knew it could be the last home game they play as students at Trinity.
“I think it was a good experience for all of us because we played our hardest and left everything out there knowing it could be our last home game,” she said. “I think everyone did a great job tonight.”
Carter added that she had a great experience attending Trinity.
“Trinity has been a great school,” she said. “Not only have I been able to learn more in my faith and grow, but I’ve also been able to learn a lot in volleyball and have great experiences with it.”
Trinity improved to 14-8 and will play next at the Edinburgh tournament on Saturday.