The Evanston varsity girls volleyball team, while markedly improved from seasons past, was unable to beat long-standing foe New Trier for a third straight year on Tuesday night.

Before the match, as the national anthem played, Evanston players kneeled and  locked arms on the court in response to President Donald Trump’s recent comments on such protests in the NFL.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with seven lead changes. Ultimately, however, New Trier prevailed, winning 26 to 24 in a thrilling finish. The Trevians rode this momentum into the second set, surging to a 16 to 7 lead. However, the Kits, thanks largely to senior Margaret Sereika’s efforts, scored six straight points to narrow the deficit down to three. But it was too little, too late. The Trevians pulled away to win by a score of 25 to 15, securing their victory in straight sets.

The ETHS girls will hope for a better result as they take on Glenbrook South this Thursday.