SEWANEE, Tenn. – Savannah Gann recorded a match-high 14 kills, but Sewanee dropped a four-set contest to Trinity on Saturday morning at the Cooper Athletic Center in Maryville, Tennessee. 

Merkler added 11 kills and 12 digs for a double-double, while Mollie White contributed nine kills. Anna Ellison chipped in eight kills, and Estela Gonzalez directed the offense with 36 assists while adding three kills. 

Sewanee opened the match with a strong performance in the first set, earning a 25-21 victory. The Tigers tallied 12 kills in the first set and Laney Barnes delivered two service aces during a crucial late run to help Sewanee secure the opening frame. 

Trinity answered in the second set, using a lengthy service run to pull away for a 25-14 win and even the match. The visitors carried that momentum into the third set, overcoming an early Sewanee advantage and breaking an 18-18 tie late to claim a 25-21 decision. 

The fourth set remained tight throughout, with the Tigers battling to extend the match. Kills from Gann, Merkler, White, and Ellison helped keep Sewanee within striking distance, but Trinity used a late push to complete the match with another 25-21 set victory. 

Defensively, Merkler led the Tigers with 12 digs, while Gann added six. Sewanee finished the match with 49 kills, 51 digs, and four team blocks. Elena Sipe, Ellison, and Gonzalez each contributed at the net for the Tigers.

Sewanee will return home to face Maryville on Tuesday to close out conference play at 6 p.m. CT.