PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Despite leading 2-1 in its second Chicagoland Collegiate Athletics Conference Tournament Championship in program history, second-seeded Indiana University South Bend volleyball dropped the final two sets to the hands of No. 1 Trinity Christian on Saturday evening in Palos Heights, Ill.

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The last time these two teams met was back on Oct. 3 in South Bend, Ind. as the Titans swept the Trolls, handing TCC its first and only loss during league play. The Trolls were not going to let that happen again on Friday night in their home arena.

The Titans started slow but shook off the sluggish start that allowed Trinity Christian to take the opening set 25-20 to even the match at one with an exciting 25-6 victory in the second. The six points allowed in the second stanza was the lowest amount of points in a single set during the 2019 campaign.

Senior Sydney Lubinski registered seven of her 11 kills in the third set, leading IUSB to a 25-23 third set win as the Titans took a commanding 2-1 advantage. The CCAC Regular Season Champions did not give up, outscoring the Titans 40-19 in the final two sets to seal the 2019 league title, handing IUSB the loss and dropping to 22-13 overall.

Junior transfer Hannah Marchand was tabbed CCAC Co-Player of the Year, becoming the first Titan in program history to receive the award. Marchand led the attack with a game-high 19 kills to go along with 12 digs and six block assists. Lubinski added five blocks to go along with her 11 kills while All-CCAC second team senior Samantha Hockstra led IUSB with 22 digs.

Sophomore McKenzie Powell earned All-CCAC First Team with Marchand and dished out 40 assists on the night. After her performance, the Rolling Prairie, Ind. native now has over 2,000 assists in her early career. Junior Julie Brown garnered All-CCAC Second Team along with Hockstra as her stat line read two kills, and three blocks.

IU South Bend awaits its fate in the NAIA Volleyball Championship Opening Round, which will be played on Saturday, Nov. 23 at host sites. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18. Check back at iusbtitans.com for up-to-date information and to find out who the Titans will face.