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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Open Owens CC Invitational with Two Wins

Trailblazers Open Owens CC Invitational with Two Wins
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August 29, 2025

PERRYSBURG, Ohio – The Vincennes University Volleyball team opened play at the Owens Community College Invitational in dominant fashion Friday, sweeping Clark State College before rallying past Danville Area Community College to finish day one 2-0.

Match One: VU 3, Clark State 0

The Trailblazers wasted no time setting the tone in their tournament opener, rolling to set scores of 25-8, 25-12, 25-2. The match lasted less than an hour and included a third set where VU rotated only three times before finishing things off.

Freshman middle hitter Taryn Thuis led the way with 11 kills on a blistering .688 hitting percentage to go along with two blocks. Sophomore Kenli Sullivan added eight kills and three aces, while Scarlet Konkel made her return to the lineup memorable, hitting .833 with five kills in her first full match back playing both front row and setting duties.

Head Coach Gary Sien praised his team's focus in what he called a "dominating performance."

"It was pretty much a dominating performance by the entire team," Sien said. "We were able to play everyone that was healthy, and it gave Scarlett [Konkel] the chance to play all the way around. She had a very nice match in her first time back in the front row. Taryn [Thuis] was outstanding as well, nearly hitting .700 with a couple of blocks. It was a great opportunity to get everyone involved and back in rhythm after not playing for almost a week".

Match Two: VU 3, Danville Area 1

The Trailblazers faced a much tougher challenge in their afternoon contest, dropping the opening set 25-20 before storming back to win 25-11, 25-17, 25-15.

Sullivan paced VU with 11 kills, three aces, and a block, while Thuis followed with nine kills and a .400 hitting clip. Sophomore Nicole De La Cruz turned in a well-rounded performance with eight kills, six aces, and three blocks.

Sien credited Rylee Edwards with helping spark the turnaround after a first set where VU's blocking faltered. Edwards finished the match with 28 assists, orchestrating the offense and stabilizing the team with her leadership.

"When we made the lineup change, Rylee was the only sophomore out there," Sien said. "Her steady leadership and setting skills helped turn things around after set one. From there, our ball control was exceptional and our serve receive was on point".

The Trailblazers' defense was outstanding, turning in their best back-row performance of the season with 51 digs, nearly half of them from Adaline Eisenmann (25). The libero frustrated Danville hitters all match, while Edwards, De La Cruz, and Sullivan each delivered extended serving runs that fueled VU's momentum.

"Our back row was probably the best it has been all year," Sien added. "Adaline was tremendous, and our defensive specialists were money in serve-receive. Once we steadied out, we went on a number of serving runs that broke the match open. That was the difference in the turnaround".

The pair of wins moves Vincennes to 4-0 on the season. The Trailblazers continue play at the Owens Invitational on Saturday, taking on Muskegon Community College at 9:00 a.m. (EST) before closing out the weekend against Terra State Community College at 12:30 p.m. (EST).

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