Chicago, Il – The volleyball team was home for the first time in 3 weeks Saturday, where they hosted Trine University and Earlham College. The Hawks lost both matches of the day dropping their record to 7 and 10.

Trine 3, Tech 0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-14)

Tech opened the Tri-Match against Trine University in an early 9:00 AM match. Hawks trailed 
throughout the entirety of the 3 set match. Trine's defense kept Tech to a -.056 hitting percentage and nearly tripled them in total earned points with 46 to Hawks 16. 
Point leader for Trine, Taylor Rabel gave the Hawks a tough time racking up 10 kills and a .156 hitting percentage. Irena Grauzinis lead in points for the Hawks managing 7 kills, followed by Taylor Duman who had 4.

Earlham 3, Tech 1 (25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-22)

Tech were slow to start in their second match of the day against Earlham College. Earlham's Kayla Morris started the match with a 4-0 run, acing Tech twice. Another early run by Jolene Wells put the score at 9-2. The Hawks were able to back within two at 13-15 after a combination of errors and Earlham kills, they dropped the first set 18-25.

The Hawks started the second set strong putting up their own early run with Taylor Duman serving two aces and picking up a kill out of the back row. The early start allowed Tech to lead the entire set winning 25-18. 

The Hawks seemed safe after Cassie Hansen went on another early run of 8 points that put the score at 8-3 in the beginning of the third. Earlham chipped away at the deficit tying the score at 13-13. The two teams exchanged leads the rest of the set. Hawks had the chance to end the set at 23-24 but a kill from Jolene Wells kept Earlham in the set. An attack error from Taylor Duman ended the set 24-26.

Earlham kept the momentum going into the 4th runs from Earlham set the tone for the entire set, they went on to win the match in 4 sets. Earlham's Kayla Morris caused the most trouble for the Hawks with 20 kills and a .306 hitting percentage. Both Hawk middles had an impressive match with Taylor Duman posting 14 kills with a .385 hitting percentage and Claire Fraeyman posting 10 and hitting a .389. Adriane Walther and Shea Manley both assisted 16 balls on the match. Defensively, Hawks dug 47 balls with libero Chelsea Badiola leading with 10.

Next weekend Hawks will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana to play Rose-Hulman and Franklin College.