NASHVILLE, TN -- The Anderson University volleyball team opened the 2024 season on Friday at the Ray Thrasher Volleyball Classic hosted by Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. The Trojans battled but were topped in both of their opening matches, falling in a five-set thriller (21-25, 21-25, 27-25, 26-25, 10-15) to Quincy University (2-0) and 0-3 (25-16, 25-21, 25-23) to Alabama-Huntsville (1-0).

"We had a tough start today but hope to bounce back tomorrow," head coach Todd Hay said. "There were definitely some positives on which to build going forward. The key will be to apply what we learned today and make the necessary adjustments as players and coaches. Our early season matches are some of the toughest we have ever scheduled so it should prepare us for conference play."

The Trojans were out to pull off a reverse sweep against Quincy University with two dramatic set wins in the third and fourth sets but were unable to hold off the Hawks in the fifth set.

Senior Brantley Chipley led the way for the Trojans in game one with 13 kills on no errors and a .382 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Ava Reeves added 11 kills, six digs and one block. Kaitlyn Barrett added 10 kills and two blocks.

Fellow sophomore Ellie Nieporte came up with a double-double of 40 assists and 12 digs and tacked on three service aces and three blocks.

The Trojans couldn't keep up with an Alabama Huntsville side that had yet to play on the weekend. 

Reeves had a career-high 12 kills with a .391 hitting percentage in game two, adding nine digs, one block and one service ace. 

Nieporte tacked on 31 assists to her weekend total while Chipley and sophomore Emily Campbell contributed seven kills each.

The Trojans finish out the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 7 in a battle of the Trojans as they take on tournament hosts Trevecca Nazarene at 3 p.m. EST.