The Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans (13-17, 3-4 NAIA South) set a new single season wins record Thursday night, defeating Lindenwood-Belleville (17-13, 1-7 NAIA South) for the second time this season. HLGU’s previous wins record was set in 2011 with a 12-17 finish.

The Trojans used come from behind wins in the final two sets to down the Lynx in five frames, 25-22, 19-25, 25-27, 25-23, 23-21. “I am really happy with how we fought,” commented HLGU Head Coach Justin Brubaker. “We kept our heads up when Lindenwood-Belleville was doing well and made a lot of plays to come away with a win.”

Down 21-18 in the fourth set, HLGU rallied with four straight points to climb in front of Lindenwood-Belleville and work its way into a fifth set.  Kills by Gillan Octave (SO/Entrepot, St. Lucia), Felipe Oliviera and Joao Sales Neto put the Trojans ahead 22-21. A kill and ace from Sales Neto finished off the Lynx, giving Hannibal-LaGrange the 25-23 win.

The Trojans had to battle from behind again in the fifth and final set as it, at one point, trailed Lindenwood-Belleville 14-10.

As a team, HLGU closed out the match with 70 kills, 60 digs, eight blocks, and five aces. Octave finished with 12 kills, 14 digs and a total of 13.5 points.