NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The William Paterson volleyball team (2-3) was bested 3-1 by No. 12 Trinity (Texas) (3-1) Sept. 5 on the opening day of the Captains Classic hosted by Christopher Newport.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Trinity (Texas) opened the first set on a 21-5 run before claiming the 25-7 victory.
• The Pioneers were trailing 20-12 in the second set when juniors Laura Gruener (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) and Cecilia Miller (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) combined for a block that sparked an 8-1 run to trim the deficit to one (21-20). The Tigers extended their lead to three (23-20) and went on to capture the 25-22 win.
• Trinity (Texas) held a two-point advantage (24-22) late in the third set until WP scored three unanswered points. The two sides went back and forth until back-to-back kills by Gruener and Miller sealed the 30-28 victory.
• The Tigers used a 23-8 run to jump out to a commanding lead in the fourth set before securing the 25-10 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Miller finished with a team-high nine kills to pair with 12 digs.
• Junior Kristian Glenn (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay) logged an eight-kill outing with two blocks.
• Junior Abby Houpt (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) dished out 28 assists while adding eight digs.
• Sophomore Bella Demers (Maumee, Ohio/Maumee) recorded a match-high 24 digs.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will remain in Newport News, Va., to take on No. 21 Christopher Newport Saturday at 1:00 p.m. before facing off against Bridgewater at 3:00 p.m.

 
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