Springer Collects 1,500th Collegiate Assist as Trojans Deliver Cathartic Victory

Broadcast Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – Gracie Conway and Sarah Scott were terrific on the outside as Taylor (13-14, 3-9 CL) defeated Grace in four sets, with the two juniors combining for 33 kills. 

Lindsay Springer was amazing in placing perfect sets as she reached 1,500 career assists in the first set on her way to 46 in the match. Springer collected her 1,000th assist in purple and gray in her most recent match against Saint Francis (Ill), and combined with the 438 assists she piled up in a two-setter system at UNC Asheville, she was on the cusp of 1,500. The transfer reached the milestone on a set to Reagan Salzbrenner, who powered a shot down the line for one of her 11 kills in the match. 

Salzbrenner was a catalyst in the first set as the Trojans were cold out of the gate, but three consecutive kills from the sophomore hitter capped a 6-1 run, which gave TU a 16-13 advantage. Grace clawed its way back to a 19-all tie before Taylor finished the set on another 6-1 run for a 25-20 win, which was concluded by a block from Salzbrenner and Jaylynn Dunsmore. 

The second set was tight to begin before Taylor took a 10-6 lead after four straight points. The Trojans kept the Lancers at arm's length throughout and closed the book on it with another block from Salzbrenner, who teamed up with Grace Ieremia for the set-clinching point. 

Taylor took an early lead in the third frame before Grace (15-8, 6-6 CL) went off and cruised to a 25-14 to keep its hopes alive for another set inside Odle Arena. 

Grace continued the momentum from the third for an early 6-3 lead. The Trojans raced back to not only tie but take the lead before the squads settled into a back-and-forth battle. Neither team led by more than two until TU tallied the final three points to take the set and match in four sets, 25-21. 

McKaylah Flagle was all over the floor, notching 21 digs, while a host of Trojans tallied three or more digs for a team total of 56. The defense was also terrific on the net as four athletes totaled three or more blocks, led by Ieremia with four. 

The Trojans delivered a victory before they get their first extended break of the season to catch their legs. TU returns to action on Wednesday, October 18, against No. 25 Mount Vernon Nazarene (23-5, 9-3 CL) back inside Odle Arena, with the match set to begin at 7:00 pm.