For the first time in five years, the Alma College volleyball team will not participate in the MIAA playoffs. The Scots finished the 2013 campaign on Friday evening with a 3-0 loss (22-25, 17-25, 22-25) at Trine University and ended the season with a mark of 8-8 in the MIAA and 13-14 overall.

Trine, with the win, also finished 8-8 in the league, as did Saint Mary's - also a winner this evening. Due to tiebreaker scenarios (Alma being eliminated because they had the worst record of the three in head-to-head matches with each other), the Scots were the odd team out in a three-way tie for third and will miss the four-team tournament.

"We came into a tough gym with a tough crowd and with a lot of pressure to succeed this evening," said Alma Head Coach Sarah Dehring. "We had some great plays, but in the end Trine outplayed us. It is unfortunate that these six seniors are going out on a loss like this, but success is measured is so many more ways than wins and losses. They have left their mark on ACVB and will be truly missed."

In tonight's first set, the two teams were tied 7-7 and then Trine held a slim 10-9 lead until a 9-2 run gave the Thunder a 19-11 advantage. An Alma comeback attempt came up short and Trine held on for a 25-22 victory.

Set two was again close early as the Scots held a 9-8 lead at one point. But this time it was a 8-0 run that doomed the visitors as Trine rumbled to a 25-17 win. The third set was even more competitive but in the end, it again went the way of the home team.

Alma had a 7-1 lead in the third, fell behind 10-9 and eventually the teams were tied several times, the last being at 22-22. The Thunder then closed the match out by scoring the final three points to win by a mark of 25-22 and securing the most important victory of their season.

Individually, Sr. MH Lea Klooster (Jenison/Jenison) had 10 kills and seven digs in her final collegiate match, while Sr. S Erika VanHavel (Mason/Mason) concluded her senior year with 10 assists. Fr. S Mary Dulzo (Novi/Mercy) led the squad with 12 assists and added eight digs, while Sr. DS/L Jaycee Cole (Alma/Alma) had a team-high 12 digs.