Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez. Updated on November 11, 2025, with the playoff matchup.

Palos Heights – On November 6, 2025, Trinity Christian College’s women’s volleyball team battled for their final-ever regular-season win in the program at DeVos Gymnasium, 6601 W. College Dr., Palos Heights.

Just two days earlier, on November 4, Trinity Christian College announced that it would be closing its doors at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

After more than 66 years in the making, the Trinity Christian Trolls women’s volleyball team (13-14, 12-6 CCAC) took their final regular season sets against the Indiana University South Bend Titans (13-19, 9-9 CCAC) on Thursday, November 6.

The Trolls battled all the way to the end, going five sets with IU South Bend and coming away with a 3–2 win.

Set scores: 24–26, 25–15, 21–25, 25–19, 15–11.

The WCCN Player of the Game was senior setter and right-side hitter Sharide Sykes, who recorded a triple-double with 19 assists, 14 digs, and 10 kills. She spoke about the win.

“We just went out and played our normal game. Once we get going, we can become unstoppable,” Sykes said. “I’ve played here for three years. It’s good to win on our senior night. It’s bittersweet that it is our senior night, but you know, we played well and we got the dub.”

“I want to shout out to my parents for coming all the way from Georgia. Shout out to my family. Love you guys to death.”

Her parents, Andrea and James Sykes, were overjoyed with their daughter’s performance.

“I’m her dad! Great job, baby! Great job!” said James Sykes, as he gave Sharide a huge hug.

First-year head coach Tom Welsh spoke about Sykes’ triple-double performance on the night and throughout the season.

“It’s her third one of the season. She should have five, which is unbelievable. I’ve never had a setter or player alone have a triple-double in a season. So, for her to have three is incredible,” Welsh said. “Her dedication to defense was really big. We really harped on that early to make sure that she played defense [during the season]. I’m so proud of her and the person that she’s become and will become, and it’s just been awesome to be able to coach her and kind of see her grow.”

The Trinity Christian Trolls finished as the No. 4 seed in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) with a conference record of 12–6, their best record in the last five seasons. Welsh reflected on their biggest win of the season and some of his favorite memories with the team.

“I would say sweeping Saint X (Saint Xavier University) at home, and then when we got in the locker room, they all doused me with water and that was pretty fun. I’ve never had that happen before. And it was a game that we kind of had to have and we just came out on a Saturday morning and executed,” Welsh said. “We’ve had a lot of fun dinners and hangouts. “They came to my wife’s and my house for a cookout in the summer before the season started so we could go over goals and get to know each other a little bit better.”

Welsh added about his team, saying, “It’s been just a really fun group of girls and a fun season to be a part of. I’m very thankful for all of them for allowing me to come in and help guide them to the most successful season they’ve had in five years. It’s unfortunate, it’s kind of bittersweet, but we’re definitely trying to ride it out on a high and finish off strong.”

Welsh also expressed gratitude to the Trinity Christian community.

“I’m just thankful for the school, for the girls, for my coaching staff. They’ve been phenomenal. Like without Shannon and Maya, I wouldn’t have been able to operate the way that [I have]. So just thankful for everybody through the process.”

The Trolls will have one more home game on Tuesday, November 11, as the No. 4 seed. They will host the No. 5 seed, Governors State University Jaguars.

A special thank you to Greg Gorham, Director of Athletic Communications.

After an IU South Bend service error in the fifth set, the Trolls secured their final regular season home victory. Here are some highlights of the Trolls final regular-season win which can be viewed on YouTube (linked below), Facebook or Instagram @ Will Cook County News.

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