JOLIET – University of St. Francis won the first set easily but then could not keep the momentum as defending Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference co-champion Trinity Christian College won the final three sets to defeat the Saints, 15-25, 25-13, 26-24 and 25-22 Thursday night in volleyball action at the Sullivan Center.

With the win, TCC (9-3, 4-0) remains the lone team unbeaten in CCAC play.  USF (10-6, 3-1) lost for the third straight time over two seasons to the Trolls after having never lost to them in 31 previous meetings.

The Saints rolled to a 25-15 win in the first set, behind a strong offensive attack from junior outside hitter Jazzmyne Robbins (La Salle-Peru H.S./Peru, IL).  The tide turned quickly as TCC won game two going away by a 25-13 score and then the Trolls took the pivotal third set in a tight 26-24 contest.

USF battled back late in game four to cut the deficit to 24-22 but a service error – the 11^th of the night for the Saints – on match point dashed their hopes of extending the conference clash to a fifth and deciding game.

Robbins finished the night with a match-high 18 kills and a .384 attacking percentage. Senior opposite Sarah Ahline (Lemont H.S./Lemont, IL) added a season-high-matching 13 kills and freshman Paige Reinert (Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, IL) collected a personal-best nine kills.

Junior setter Ashley Richards (Wilmington H.S./Wilmington, IL) ran the offense with a season-best 49 assists. Junior outside hitter Ashley Thompson (Portage H.S./Hobart, IN) led the Saints with 27 serve receptions and 15 digs. Junior libero Dana Wettergren (Oak Forest H.S./Oak Forest, IL) added 14 digs and Richards finished with 13.

The Saints are off this weekend and return to action next Tuesday with a home CCAC match against Robert Morris University at 7 p.m. at the Sullivan Center.