The Trinity University volleyball team’s conference travel itinerary underwent a change. Trips to Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi this season replaced treks of the past to Kerrville, Sherman, Seguin and Houston.

The Tigers are in their first season in the Southern Athletic Conference after years in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

“It’s fun playing new people,” Trinity senior outside hitter Reagan Whatley said.

The change in leagues didn’t keep the team from reaching a familiar status.
The Tigers won the SAC regular-season crown in their inaugural campaign. They are the No. 1 seed in the SAA tournament and, after receiving a first-round bye, will play Centre at 1 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Trinity (21-4) is No. 8 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III national rankings. The Tigers have won four in a row since falling to Southwestern 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23 on Oct. 24. One of the wins during the current streak was a 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 decision vs. Southwest on Nov. 7 that locked up the league title.

“When we had that loss, it hurts,” Whatley said. “It definitely puts into perspective that it does only take one loss late in the season to be done. It kind of wakes us up and puts a little fire under our butts.”

It is a heat the Tigers hope will propel them to an elusive national championship. Whatley and fellow seniors Jenna Rodriguez and Jozie Dhayer were freshmen on Trinity’s national finalist squad in 2022. They look to lead the Tigers to the ultimate prize in their final college season.

“The past four years have been amazing,” Whatley said.

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