Box Score ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College volleyball team, ranked 12th in the AVCA Division III poll, opened the 2014 season with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 win over Edgewood College.

Elmhurst pulled away from Edgewood (0-1) in the first set to take an early advantage. With the scored tied at 10-10, the Bluejays used a 9-4 run to build a five-points cushion. Edgewood closed to within three points at 17-14 but came no closer as the Bluejays pulled away to take the opening set.
 

In a nearly identical fashion, the two teams traded points early in the second set before Elmhurst pulled away. With the score even at 10, Elmhurst used a 5-1 run to grab a four-point cushion. Edgewood pulled to within two points at 16-14, the Bluejays won five of the next six points to take a 21-15 lead before closing out the set.

Elmhurst had to come from behind in the third set to finish the three-set sweep. The Bluejays trailed 14-11 in the third, but a 4-1 run evened the score at 15-all. With the score even at 17, the Bluejays ripped off four straight points to grab a 21-17 lead. Edgewood fought off two set points before the Bluejays closed the door for a 25-22 victory.

Elmhurst hit .288 as a team with 47 kills and 17 errors in 104 attempts. Sam Szarmach powered the Bluejays' attack with 10 kills and nine digs. Jackie Pavilonis and Alli Rogers added eight kills and two blocks apiece while Shannon Burns, Melissa Nava and Hannah Nimrick totaled seven kills each. Nimrick added three blocks and 32 assists while Nava added three blocks. Peggy Clemens finished with eight digs in the victory.

Edgewood was led by Jordan Winkler's seven-kill performance in the loss. Elizabeth Evans added four kills for the Eagles.

Elmhurst faces 17th-ranked University of Chicago at 8:00 p.m.