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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Outlast Kaskaskia in Five-Set Battle

Trailblazers Outlast Kaskaskia in Five-Set Battle
Box Score
September 24, 2025

CENTRALIA, Ill. – The Vincennes University Volleyball team showed its toughness Wednesday night, grinding out a five-set road victory at Kaskaskia College (21-25, 25-19, 25-17, 22-25, 15-9). The win pushes the Trailblazers to 19-2 overall and keeps them unbeaten at 10-0 in Region 24 play.

VU spread the offense around in the back-and-forth contest. Kenli Sullivan led the way with 13 kills, eight digs, and three total blocks, while Taryn Thuis delivered 11 kills and six blocks. Paulina Krawczyk chipped in nine kills and two digs, and Martyna Sadowska added seven kills and five blocks. Nicole De La Cruz was a weapon from the service line, recording four aces to go with six kills and five blocks.

The Trailblazers also leaned on the steady hands of setter Rylee Edwards, who ran a 5-1 offense and finished with 39 assists, 13 digs, and three blocks. Edwards' leadership stood out to her coach. "We wanted to go with a one-setter offense to simplify things, and Rylee really took control," Head Coach Gary Sien said. "Her sophomore leadership was huge tonight. She blocked well, set a consistent ball, and made it hard for Kaskaskia to get comfortable."

VU's defensive depth was on display as three defensive specialists rotated through. Adaline Eisenmann led the back row with 22 digs and an ace, while Jordan Netcott added nine digs and Allie Robinson chipped in two. Sien credited the trio for stabilizing the match. "It's great that we have the use of three outstanding defensive players—Jordan, Allie, and Adaline," he said. "They were all out there together in a couple of rotations, and that really gave us an advantage."

The Blazers' serving proved to be another difference-maker, as De La Cruz, Sullivan, and Edwards each went on extended runs from the line. "We went through a number of big serving runs in this match, and that really swung momentum back to us," Sien said.

After dropping the first set and later being pushed to a decisive fifth, Sien praised his team's resolve. "Kaskaskia threw everything at us, and it took a lot of heart to pull this one out," he said. "We've played six matches in five days and faced some of the toughest environments in the region. Tonight was a gut check, and our players showed they had the resolve to finish it."

VU now turns its attention to its home classic, the Showdown on the Wabash, hosted October 3–4 at the P.E. Complex and Recreation Center in Vincennes. The Trailblazers will face Edison State Community College at 3:00 p.m. and Calhoun Community College at 7:00 p.m. on Friday before taking on Lewis and Clark Community College at 11:00 a.m. and St. Louis Community College at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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