Chris Yingling | Echo
In an action-packed nailbiter, the Taylor volleyball team upset No. 2-seed Grace on the road in the Crossroads league semifinal match.
Grace bolted out to a fast start against the Trojans, taking the first set 25-20. The Trojans looked out of sync and had a few mental flubs in the first set, recording service errors and not getting under digs.
Taylor would not lay down, storming back in set two 25-17 on the back of Taylor's improved offensive game. Junior setter Julia Wiley put the offense in prime position to come back into the match, providing hitting opportunities for senior hitter Jackie Close and freshman hitter Rachel Bouma.
The Lancers rediscovered their groove in the third set, pulling out a 25-17 victory. Grace's threatening offense forced the Trojans into potentially their last set of the season.
Taylor and Grace played evenly in a dramatic fourth set with neither team giving an inch. Despite being down by three late in the set, the Trojans played off a few key digs by senior libero Kelsey Arvin to fight back.
Down 25-24 in what could have been the final volley of the season, a huge dig from Arvin kept the Trojans alive in a 25-25 tie. Two well-placed kills narrowly saved Taylor from disaster as the Trojans took set four 27-25.
Forcing the fifth set provided the necessary momentum to finish off the Lancers. Taylor jumped out to an 8-5 lead in the fifth set and never looked back, taking the final set 15-11.
Close led the Trojans with 17 kills while Bouma had 13 and sophomore Kelly Arnold found 12. Arvin led all Trojans with 29 kills, and Wiley recorded 44 assists.
Taylor now looks toward the Crossroads League Championship against Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday. The match will be at IWU at 7 p.m.Photograph by Josh Adams
