CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 11 Trinity volleyball delivered a composed and resilient Sweet 16 performance, taking down No. 9 MIT 3-1 to advance to the NCAA Elite 8 and continue their postseason run.

Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, TX / The Woodlands) led the Tigers with a powerful 13-kill performance, adding 2 aces, 15 digs, and a block to finish with a match-high 15 points, driving Trinity's offense all night. Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) delivered another stellar performance, hammering 12 kills on 25 attempts (.400) while adding 2 blocks and 2 digs for 13 points, providing a huge spark at the net. Lauren McCarthy (Corrales, N.M. / Horizon) was dominant on both sides of the game, posting 7 kills on 14 swings (.429), firing an ace, and stacking up 8 total blocks to reach 13 points, making her the most impactful two-way presence on the floor. Marissa Drange (Boerne, Texas / Boerne Champion) added 6 kills on 28 attempts along with 4 blocks and 3 digs to contribute 8 points in a strong all-around performance. Rounding out the top group was Connelley McWilliams (Austin, Texas / St. Michael's), who secured 5 kills, 4 blocks, and a dig for 7 points, consistently stabilizing the middle for Trinity in key moments.

Trinity's superior efficiency defined the match, hitting .255 while holding MIT to .171, and producing only 9 attack errors compared to the Engineers' 30. That gap in clean swings, combined with a 22-8 advantage in total blocks and a 9-7 edge in aces, gave the Tigers the statistical control needed to take the Sweet 16 win in four sets.

The Rundown
Trinity fell behind 0-2 early, but Whatley immediately shifted the momentum with two straight kills to tie the set before a service ace from Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) pushed the Tigers ahead 4-2. Trinity kept the pressure on, adding two more service aces from Whatley and clean finishes from Pope, McCarthy, and Drange, giving the Tigers a strong 10-5 lead. MIT answered with a push of its own, stringing together several points to cut the margin to 13-12, but Trinity responded with poise. Whatley delivered another timely kill, and McWilliams teamed with McCarthy for a key block to keep the one-point edge at 17-16. With the set tightening, Trinity stepped up again. Drange fired a sharp kill, Taylor Starr (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) followed with a powerful swing through the middle, and the Tigers rebuilt a 19-16 cushion. From there, Trinity put together a composed six-point run, shifting control of the set and highlighting the Tigers' ability to perform under pressure. Their defensive intensity forced MIT into multiple errors, and their precise serving produced two key aces to widen the gap. Starr and Drange then finished the set with a strong closing block to secure a 25-18 first-set win.

Set two opened with both sides trading points to 5-4 in favor of MIT, with Trinity staying in it through early kills from Drange and Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, CA / Viewpoint). MIT then found a surge, putting together a four-point run to build a 9-4 lead before a strong finish from Starr briefly halted the momentum. MIT continued to press, extending the cushion to 13-7, but Trinity's response was immediate and spirited. The Tigers erupted with eight of the next nine points, a stretch that completely flipped the set's energy. Pope delivered back-to-back kills, with McCarthy, Pope, and Whatley each adding another as Trinity surged ahead 15-14, taking their first lead of the set and showcasing their resilience under pressure. Trinity then tightened things at the net, producing two important blocks – first from Drange and McCarthy, then from Starr and McWilliams – to keep their narrow edge at 19-18. Whatley followed with another kill, but MIT answered with a three-point run to move in front 23-22. However, Pope rose for a composed kill, and Rodriguez fired a clutch service ace to push the Tigers to set point. On the final rally, Trinity controlled the point and forced an MIT error, sealing a gritty 25-23 comeback and a commanding 2-0 match lead.

Set three opened tightly, with both teams trading points to 2-2 before Trinity moved ahead through a Whatley kill set by DeRivel. Steady swings from Whatley, Drange, and McWilliams pushed the Tigers to a 7-4 lead, but MIT answered with a run to tie it 7-7. The frame stayed close with kills from Pope and Drange, but MIT eventually nudged in front at 15-14. The Engineers continued their effective play to extend the lead to 20-16. Trinity's response was sharp and composed. Pope and DeRivel delivered key kills to close the gap before Rodriguez dropped in a clutch service ace to tie the set 21-21. Despite another kill from Whatley, MIT managed to hold their edge and closed out the frame 25-22.

Trinity and MIT traded early points to 3-3 before the Tigers created separation with a strong defensive stretch that produced several MIT errors and pushed the lead to 7-3. Trinity maintained their strong position at 9-6 and later extended the advantage to 12-8. MIT surged back with an impressive stretch of play, edging ahead 13-12 and briefly taking control of the frame. However, the Tigers responded immediately and emphatically, ripping off a seven-point run fueled by three kills from Whatley, a strong block at the net by McWilliams and McCarthy, and sustained defensive pressure that forced MIT into multiple errors. The burst pushed the Tigers firmly back in front 20-15, reestablishing command of the set. From there, Trinity maintained control, using clean execution and steady pressure to build toward the finish. DeRivel then delivered a decisive service ace for 24-19, and moments later connected with Pope for the final kill to close out the set 25-19, giving Trinity the 3-1 win.

Up Next 
The Tigers progress to the NCAA Elite 8, which will be held on December 3rd, with the opponent to be decided after the draw.