That sets up Saturday’s 7 pm championship tilt between Saint Xavier (26-9) and Trinity Christian (28-8) in Chicago. By virtue of the two teams advancing to the title match, they also both gain bids to next weekend’s NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.
Saturday’s contest will also serve as the rubber match between the two teams this season. Saint Xavier won the more important conference match back on Oct. 27 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-14. The two teams also competed in a non-league affair on Sept. 14 with Trinity Christian winning that matchup 19-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-13, 15-9.
Recapping Thursday:
Saint Xavier def. Trinity International 25-21, 25-13, 25-19 — Fueled by its 11 service aces and .253 attack percentage, Saint Xavier did not allow for Trinity International to score its second upset of the tournament. Six different Cougars contributed to the offensive attack, led by Kate Bontrager’s nine kills and 11 digs. Cassidy Wyman guided the offense with her 27 assists. Trinity International was hurt by its 14 service errors.
Trinity Christian def. Indiana South Bend 25-18, 26-24, 25-19 — Trinity Christian was clicking on all cylinders with three players collecting double-digit kill totals and the Trolls recording 11 blocks. They also registered a .250 attack percentage behind Dani Van Laten’s 38 assists. Ana Lambros authored a double-double with her 11 kills and 10 digs. Sarah Kiwan totaled a team-high 14 kills. Sarah Allison also had 14 kills for Indiana South Bend.
The complete tournament results and remaining schedule follow:
Tuesday, Nov. 6 – First Round
• Match #1: No. 1 Saint Xavier def. No. 8 St. Ambrose 25-14, 16-25, 25-14, 25-13
• Match #2: No. 5 Trinity International def. No. 4 Cardinal Stritch 26-24, 18-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10
• Match #3: No. 2 Trinity Christian def. No. 7 St. Francis 25-21, 25-17, 25-18
• Match #4: No. 6 Indiana South Bend def. No. 3 Olivet Nazarene 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23
Thursday, Nov. 8 – Semifinal Round
• Match #5: No. 1 Saint Xavier def. No. 5 Trinity International 25-21, 25-13, 25-19
• Match #6: No. 2 Trinity Christian def. No. 6 Indiana South Bend 25-18, 26-24, 25-19
Saturday, Nov. 10 – Championship
• Match #7: No. 2 Trinity Christian (28-8) at No. 1 Saint Xavier (26-9) — 7 pm