ANDERSON POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Making their first foray into the NCAA National Quarterfinals in the history of the program, the Anderson University (28-6) volleyball team came out swinging and was able to take the first set, but unfortunately dropped the next three sets to the Tritons of Missouri-St. Louis at the UPMC Events Centers in Moon Township, Pa. on Thursday, December 7.

"I honestly thought the match went pretty much according to plan, the UMSL coach and I were talking a little pre-match and we both thought that our team's matched up really well with each other," said head coach Todd Hay in his post-game press conference.

"It really wasn't a surprise to me that it was as close as it was. I feel like what really kept us in the match tonight, which hasn't done so much this season, was our blocking. It was really key there in set four to give us a little bit of a cushion, unfortunately we couldn't hold it. We had an advantage in the serving game early in set one and when the UMSL passing really steadied out it made a big difference for them"

Senior Tabitha Wheeler (Greenville, S.C.) continued her fantastic end to the season as she was able to record her fourth-straight double-digit kill contest as she led the squad with 15 kills. Seniors Jaelyn Grimm (Cedar Park, Texas) and Rylie Sargent (Greer, S.C.) were also strong with their hitting in the match as they were each able to record 10 kills with Grimm leading the team with a .348 hitting percentage. Senior Jenna Long (Clearwater, Fla.) posted 35 assists and graduate Lindsay McCurley (Simpsonville, S.C.) notched a team-high 19 digs.

Despite being the lower-seed in the contest, the Trojans came out even pegging with the Tritons, who were making their second straight quarterfinal appearance. The first points of the match were traded back and forth until the 10-10 mark in the contest when the Trojans were able to make the first move towards a lead as they were able to string together three points and take the 13-10 advantage. Though the Tritons were able to pull back to within one, the Trojans used a pair of four-point runs to really put the set out of reach at 22-15. UMSL was able to score four more points in the set but Sargent was able to hammer a kill and McCurley ended the set with an ace to give Anderson the 25-19 win.

Anderson was able to carry that momentum into the early goings of the second set as they were able to record the first three points of the frame before UMSL was able to climb back into the set at 4-3. With the Trojans trailing by just two points, the Tritons flipped the script from the opening set as they rand their lead back out to seven at 21-14 late in the set. Anderson did mount a valiant comeback effort in the second, outscoring the Tritons 6-4 over the last ten points but they fell just short, dropping the second 25-20.

The third set was the most evenly matched set of the day as both teams traded points until the 15-15 mark of the set that saw both teams looking for a break. Unfortunately for the Trojans it was UMSL that got that break with them starting off with a three-point run and posting three more two-point run to wrap up the set as the Trojans were only able to post four additional points in the set in comparison to the Tritons 10 points, with UMSL taking the third 25-19.

With their season on the line the Trojans were able to rebound in the start of the fourth set as after UMSL took the first two points of the set, Anderson swung out to a two-point advantage at 7-5 and continued to keep that same margin at 9-7 and 11-9. Anderson continued to expand their lead stretching it out to four on two occasions with kill from Sargent put them up by three late in the set 19-16. UMSL posted one of the best runs of the day at that point where they were able to notch five-straight points before the Trojans were able to score another point, giving UMSL the 21-20 lead. Anderson scored one more point in the set to separate a pair of UMSL two-point runs, but those were enough to bring the Trojans run to an end at 25-21.

"We are so thankful to the Lord, Anderson University, our families and our friends for making this season one to remember," concluded Hay. "We love the support and encouragement we have received all season. What a special year."

Anderson finishes the season with a 28-6 record, two AVCA and D2 CCA All-Region honorees in Long and Grimm. They were both named AVCA Honorable Mention All-American as well.