PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. — Indiana University Northwest volleyball battled through an intense road matchup Thursday night but came up short, falling 3-1 (24-26, 25-16, 36-34, 25-19) to Trinity Christian at DeVos Gymnasium. The loss marked the RedHawks' first CCAC setback of the season, dropping them into a tie for second place with Saint Xavier (Ill.).

The RedHawks (7-11, 4-1 CCAC) opened strong, erasing an early Trinity lead in the first set. Raniyah Preston and Lindsey Krueger powered a late surge, and Gabi Lilovich sealed the opener 26-24 with a kill after back-to-back set points for IUN.

Momentum shifted in the second set as Trinity (3-10, 3-2) capitalized on RedHawk errors and steady offense from Sharide Sykes and Sarah Neighbors to even the match 25-16.

The third set turned into a marathon, with both teams trading long rallies and clutch points. IU Northwest fought off multiple set points behind kills from Preston and Lilovich, and Kaelan Murphy pushed the RedHawks to a 33-32 advantage. However, the Trolls responded with three straight points, finishing the frame 36-34 on kills from Neighbors and Sykes.

Despite an early 6-3 lead fueled by Preston and Lilovich, IU Northwest could not hold off the Trolls' comeback, as Raimey Owens helped spark a decisive rally to take the fourth 25-19.

Both Preston and Lilovich turned in double-doubles on the night. Preston tallied 10 kills and 21 assists, while Lilovich matched her with 10 kills and added 12 assists. Krueger contributed nine kills and 15 digs, and libero Eva Everett anchored the back row with a team-high 24 digs.

IU Northwest returns home Tuesday, Sept. 23, hosting Saint Xavier (Ill.) at 7 p.m. inside the Savannah Center.