DEERFIELD, Ill. --- Looking to knock off one of the frontrunners in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's volleyball race on Saturday afternoon, the University of St. Francis claimed one set victory and nearly another but eventually succumbed 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 28-26 at Van Dixhorn Arena.
 

USF (9-8, 6-5 CCAC) gained big contributions offensively from seniors Brooklyn Withey (Lapeer, Mich.), Taylor Valant (St. Anne, Ill.), and Lauren Stefanski (Plainfield, Ill.).  Withey paced the attack with 13 kills, while Valant was one back with an even dozen. Stefanski produced 11 kills without an error for a .440 attack percentage. She also recorded a match-high four solo blocks.
 

Setting the offense was Alexis Engst (JR/Bloomington, Ill.), who totaled a season-high 41 assists.
 

Hannah Monfre (SO/Franklin, Wis.) also registered a season best with her 23 digs.
 

Holding a 17-15 lead in Set 1, Trinity International (13-5, 9-1) went on an 8-1 closing run to build a 1-0 advantage. The Trojans also claimed the final six points as part of the final surge.
 

In Set 2, the Saints broke a 5-5 tie with the next five points. Trinity International was able to pull to within 10-9 but never forced another tie with USF eventually pulling away for the 25-19 set win.
 

Trinity International used that same recipe in Set 3, slowly stretching the advantage to its final five-point margin of victory.
 

In Set 4, USF held a 22-17 lead late only to have the hosts put together a 7-1 rally for a 24-23 edge. Ties would ensue at 24, 25 and 26 before two kills from Trinity International sealed the match for the Trojans.
 

The Saints continue their four-match road trip on Tuesday (March 16) when they head to Lincoln, Ill. to meet first-year CCAC member Lincoln College for a 7 pm start.