No. 12 Trojans Split on Opening Day of 2023 Season

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The No. 12 Trojans started a highly anticipated volleyball season with a split at the Onset Invitational Hosted by Saint Francis. 

Taylor earned its first victory of the season over IU South Bend in four sets by the scores of 25-23, 18-25, 25-22, and 25-16. TU hit a solid .248 over the four sets, including hitting .300 or better in the first and final sets. 

A back-and-forth opening set saw TU trailing 23-21 before four straight points from three kills, and an error gave the first set and the momentum to the Trojans. 

TU dropped the second set and fell behind in the third before a 5-0 run pushed the score to 18-14, from which the Trojans would not look back.

Gracie Conway was stellar on the outside to the tune of 21 kills and was joined in double digits by Sara Scott and Grace Ieremia. 

The back line was led by McKaylah Flagle and Abi Powers, both of whom notched 11 digs. Jaylynn Dunsmore provided a boost defensively, with four blocks and two digs. 

Lindsay Springer was the engine that made the offense run, supplying 55 assists while gathering eight digs, two service aces, and a kill. Springer picked up where Kacy Bragg left off last season as a dynamic setter in purple and gray. 

The Trojans dropped their first match of the season against No. 7 Viterbo in three sets earlier in the day. 

Taylor fell in tight sets of 25-22 and 25-20 to begin the match before dropping the third, 25-16. 

Ieremia led the team in blocks with four, as she continued to shine on defense during her time in purple and gray. The junior complimented that with seven kills on 11 swings for an impressive attacking percentage of .455. 

Springer had an incredible debut for the Trojans, providing 28 assists, six digs, three kills, and two blocks.  

No. 12 Taylor (1-1) is back on the court on Saturday, August 19, with two more matches in the Onset Invitational against Indiana Northwest (0-2) at 11:00 am and Wayland Baptist (0-2) at 3:30 pm.