Stellar TU Defense Stunts Foresters in Crucial League Win

UPLAND, Ind. – A season-best, 93-dig defensive effort and some key blocks at the net fueled Taylor to a 3-1 (25-22, 25-13, 19-25, 25-13) victory at home over Huntington Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans came out swinging in a tight first set with Gracie Conway, Reagan Kleiman and Grace Ieremia combining for 17 of TU's 18 kills in the opening frame. Conway closed the set strong offensively, and it was Taylor's inspiring defensive effort of 26 early digs that helped the hosts prevail, 25-22.

The Purple and Grey kept up the intensity as they dominated the second set with much of the same recipe, while Jaylynn Dunsmore also got in on the action with four kills. Through two sets, the hosts boasted an impressive .270 attack percentage to go with 48 digs.

TU owned a slim margin early and the score was tied at 12-12 midway through set number three before the Foresters (13-12, 5-8 CL) found some life, taking advantage of Trojan attacking errors as they avoided the sweep.

HU's momentum would not last long, however, as Taylor went on a 9-0 run midway through the fourth frame while recording its fourth consecutive set of 20-plus digs to run away with the match and even the season series at one apiece.

Ieremia, Conway and Kleiman each closed with 13 kills to lead all players in the match. 

Sets three and four saw the Trojans turn away several Huntington swings at the net, as TU finished with two blocks per set in the match. That effort was led by three block assists and one solo block from Daya Vestal, who also made her presence known with eight kills. Ieremia, Dunsmore and Conway also had multiple blocks on the day.

Taylor's back-row defense stole the show in a match that featured long rally after long rally, however. McKaylah Flagle led five Trojans who notched double-digit digs with 25 digs, followed by Jen Springer with 17, Abi Powers with 13, Lindsay Springer with 12 and Chloe Holtz with 10 digs.

Lindsay Springer also had 46 assists and one of TU's two service aces. Suzanne Storey recorded the other ace.

Taylor (9-16, 4-9 CL) looks to climb up the Crossroads League standings when it travels to play Spring Arbor (11-11, 5-8) Wednesday at 7 p.m.