ANGOLA, Ind. – The Thiel College men's volleyball team opened the 2020 season Friday with a 3-1 non-conference loss to Trine University during play in the Off the Block Grow the Game Challenge, hosted by Trine.
 
Thiel lost the first set 25-21 but rebounded with a 26-24 win in the second game. The Trine Thunder went on to win the third set 25-22 and the fourth game 25-14.
 
Senior outside hitter Mitch Patterson (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) led the Tomcats with a match-best 17 kills. Chance Hoffman (Cochranton, Pa./Cochranton) recorded a match-high 38 assists to go along with three blocks and a pair of aces. D'ondre Merren (Brooklyn, Md./North County) contributed a match-high 11 digs while Zac Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) notched 10 digs.
 
Kyle Dixon led Trine with 14 kills. Hunter Monday tallied 37 assists and 10 digs.
 
The Tomcats will continue play in the Off the Block Grow the Game Challenge on Saturday. Thiel will face Concordia at 9 a.m. and Mount Union at 11 a.m.