On the surface, the moment wasn’t anything out of the norm during a run-of-the-mill practice earlier this season for the Trinity University volleyball team.

And yet, the same occasion would forecast so much.

Senior outside hitter Sarah Williammee went up for an attack during a drill, only to have her attempt sent back over the net by senior middle hitter Emily Ellis. Moments later, as the drill continued, Williammee again went up for attack.

This time, senior outside hitter Sara Flynn rebuffed Williammee.

“I had the urge to tackle both of y’all,” Williammee said, jokingly. “I hit directly in your block and I’m like, ‘I did it to myself.’ “

Welcome to the world of opposing hitters vs. Trinity. No matter where they go, no matter how hard they hit the ball or creative they get, they’re sure to find resistance. The Tigers have been a wall at the net — and it’s an undeniable reason why they are at the NCAA Division III national championships for the third straight season.

Trinity (28-4) tangles with MIT at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the national quarterfinals at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

“It’s just this really, really unique feeling going three times out of the four times we could’ve,” Ellis said. “Going into this the third time around, we’ve more confident than we’ve ever been.”

With wins this season over three teams at nationals — Transylvania, Juniata and John Hopkins — and wins vs. seven of the eight squads during the past two seasons, the Tigers have reason to have confidence.

The assurance starts with blocking. Trinity averages 2.85 blocks per set and has 322 total blocks on the season, both of which are No. 1 in NCAA Division III. All-Americans Ellis (1.30) and Maddie Fate (1.29) are No. 4 and No. 6, respectively, in the nation in blocks per set. Flynn and Brette Thornton each averages nearly a block for set for the Tigers, who boosts a roster with nine players 5-foot-9 or taller and has led Division III in blocks per set in each of the past three seasons.

The front-line prowess makes life a little less stressful for back court players such as libero Jenna Rodriguez (382 digs) and defensive specialist Nadia Kern (261 digs). Outside hitter Reagan Whatley is second on the team with 281 digs.

“Obviously, we spend a lot of time on blocking,” Trinity coach Julie Jenkins said. “They buy in to what we’re trying to do. I think we are exceptionally good with our timing with the block. They take care of all the details.”

The proving ground occurs daily in practice, where All-Americas and all-region performers square off in intense workouts.

“During practice, sometimes when you get shut down multiple times in a row, you get pretty mad,” said Flynn, who along with Ellis was named to the All-America first team on Tuesday. “Just seeing our size up at the net, we’re big girls.”

Opposing players — especially those who are their team’s top attacking option — have found out the hard way. Trinity is limiting its opponents to a .136 hitting percentage, and has done so against a schedule that included matches vs. nine ranked teams, including twice defeating the country’s No. 1 team.

“We always say here that defense is the best offense,” Williammee said. “The start of defense has always been our blocking, so I would say that it’s always been a really big part of our program and a really big emphasis. Something we’ve been really proud of this season is shutting down their No. 1 hitters. We commit on those specific players, and when a really good player for their team shuts down, the rest of the team sometimes follow suit, just in terms of, ‘Oh no, our biggest hitter is struggling.’ “

terrence@terrencesports.com

Twitter: @sa_terrence1