ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Trojans were outlasted in a five set battle by Lenoir-Rhyne University on Thursday evening in the South Atlantic Conference Semifinals. It was back-and-forth every set as the two teams were evenly matched in every statistical category.

"We fought hard but didn't quite have enough tonight," head coach Todd Hay said. "We will get together as a team tomorrow and go over the video to find areas on which we can improve. At this point in the season, however, it's probably 90% mental and 10% physical. If we can just think a little more clearly, a large percentage of these unforced errors can be erased. That helps build momentum and momentum wins matches. Now we will wait to see what Monday night holds for us when the field of 64 is announced."

The Trojans opened the first set on a 6-0 scoring run driven by three aces from junior Katy Smith. She finished the night with five. The Bears answered with a 7-2 run of their own and the Trojans struggled to regain a lead. 

The game saw a total of 17 ties and eight lead changes. 

Graduate student Libby Nieporte came up with a double-double of 22 kills and 13 digs. She came up with three kills straight to give the Trojans a 5-1 lead to start the fourth set.

Senior Brantley Chipley was huge on defense for the Trojans, with seven total blocks and 12 kills. 

Sophomore Ava Reeves tacked on 14 kills. 

On top of Smith's five aces, she added 15 digs. Sophomore Sophie Deese led the defense with 16 digs. 

Sophomore Ellie Nieporte had 54 assists and nine digs.

The Trojans now look to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 25th at 7:30 p.m. when the field of 64 teams entering the 2024 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship will be announced.