MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College suffered a heartbreaking home-opening five-set loss to Trine on Saturday at Time of Grace Center.
The Warriors (1-4) won the first two sets over the Thunder by scores of 25-22 and 27-25, but dropped the next three by scores of 25-13, 25-17, 15-12.
WLC jumped out to an early advantage as it scored the first three points of the opening set. Both teams went back-and-forth, resulting in five ties before a 3-0 spurt from Wisconsin Lutheran gave them a 16-13 lead. The Warriors never relinquished their lead, winning the first set 25-22.
TU started the second set strong, scoring the first four points and taking a 6-2 lead. After going back-and-forth for most of the set, WLCÂ used a 4-0 run to pull within one as it trailed 20-19. An ace from freshman
Ray Dryier (Lockport, Ill.) gave Wisconsin Lutheran its first lead of the set, before Trine regained a 25-24 advantage. The Warriors netted the final three points of the set, winning set two 27-25.
After an early 3-3 tie, the Thunder rattled off a pair of points to take a 5-3 lead. TU used a pair of 3-0 spurts to extend its advantage to 14-9. WLC never got closer than three points the rest of the way, as Trine scored eight of the last nine points, winning the third set 25-13.
After some early back-and-forth action, the Thunder used a 7-2 run to pull ahead 10-4. TU dominated the rest of the set, leading by as many as 11 as it went on to win 25-17 to force a decisive fifth set.
Trine jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the final set. Both teams exchanged points and a kill from freshman
Brady Pichler (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) brought Wisconsin Lutheran within one, 10-9. Unfortunately, that was all the closer the Warriors got, as they dropped the fifth set 15-12.
Pichler led the way for WLC with 16 kills and 10 digs for his first career double-double. Freshman
Noah Kern (Brookfield, Wis.) added a season-high 13 kills and senior
James Biedenbender (La Crosse, Wis.) tallied a career-high 36 assists. Freshman
Jacob Geboy (West Allis, Wis.) recorded four total blocks. Wisconsin Lutheran hit .129 with 45 kills, 27 errors, and 140 attempts.
For the Thunder (3-4), Kevin Boncaro recorded 25 kills and 10 digs, while Ryan McDonald registered 56 assists and 13 digs, both of which were match-highs. TU hit .264 for the match with 61 kills, 23 errors, and 144 attempts.
The Warriors are back at Time of Grace Center on Friday, January 31 for a 6 p.m. non-conference match against Olivet (1-4). Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
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