Box Score BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Elmhurst volleyball team clinched at least a share of its first CCIW Championship in eight years with a 25-15, 23-25, 25-15, 25-27, 15-4 win over Illinois Wesleyan University.

With the victory, Elmhurst improved to 21-7 on the season and remained unbeaten in CCIW play with a 6-0 record. The Bluejays' win secured the team at least a share of the CCIW title for the first time since the 2004 season when Elmhurst shared the league title with Carthage.

Elmhurst's win sets up a showdown with North Central College next Tuesday night at R.A. Faganel Hall. The Bluejays can win the CCIW Championship outright and secure the top seed in the upcoming CCIW Tournament with a victory, but the Cardinals can claim a share of the league title and the top seed with a win. 

Elmhurst quickly pulled away from Illinois Wesleyan in the opening set, using an 8-1 run to open up a commanding 16-6 lead. A kill by Megan Reynolds ended the set for the Bluejays.

The Bluejays raced out to a quick 11-4 lead in the second set, but Illinois Wesleyan roared back, with a 9-2 run to even the set at 13-13. The Bluejays ripped off four straight points behind Erin Thill's serve to grab a 17-13 lead, but the Titans won five of the next six points to even the set at 18. With the set tied at 22-22, Illinois Wesleyan won back-to-back points to set up a pair of set points. The Bluejays fought off the first, but the Titans' Cydnee Mann put the ball down to give the second set to the Titans and even the match.

The third set started similar to the first two sets as the Bluejays quickly raced out to a 7-2 lead. Illinois Wesleyan surged back in front with a 7-0 run. The set was even at 13-13 but five straight points gave the Bluejays an 18-13 cushion. The Titans pulled to within three points at 18-15, but Kaitlyn Wilks served the next seven points (including two aces) to give the Bluejays the set and take a 2-1 lead.

Illinois Wesleyan raced out to a 19-14 lead in the fourth set before the Bluejays mounted a furious rally. Elmhurst evened the match at 22-22 behind five points from Wilks' serve. The Bluejays served for the match at 24-23 and again at 25-24, but the Titans fought off both attempts. Illinois Wesleyan scored the set's final three points to earn the 27-25 win and square the match.

Elmhurst dominated the fifth set, scoring the first five points with three coming off of Megan Reynolds kills. Elmhurst led 7-3 and outscored the Titans 8-1 over the next nine points to put the match away. Elmhurst hit a whopping .643 in the fifth set with nine kills and no errors in 14 attempts.

Elmhurst was led by Reynolds' 19 kills and six blocks. Marci Novak chipped in with 15 kills and 13 digs while Antonéya Veasy Smith finished with nine kills. Wilks and Sam Szarmach added six kills. Erin Thill totaled 39 assists and a match-high six assists while Hannah Lessen finished with 20 digs.

Elmhurst, ranked 10th in the latest AVCA poll, hosts the Elmhurst College Invitational this weekend (October 19-20) before hosting North Central next Tuesday (October 23).