ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst volleyball team upped its record to 23-4 on the season by toppling Bethany College 25-15, 26-24, 23-25, 26-24.
Elmhurst dominated the first set right from the start, scoring four of the first five points and never trailing in the set. The Bluejays turned a 15-13 lead into a 19-13 advantage with a  4-0 run. Back-to-back aces from
Alli Rogers closed out the first set for the Bluejays.
Bethany (16-8) looked to be in control in the second set, taking a commanding 20-10 lead. Elmhurst clawed their way back in, ripping off a 13-3 run to pull even at 23-all. Bethany had a set point at 24-23, but a kill from
Hannah Nimrick evened the score at 24-all. Consecutive kills from
Jackie Pavilonis gave the Bluejays the second set at 26-24.
Bethany overcame an early 10-5 deficit to pull even with Elmhurst at 23-all in the third set. A kill by Dylana McKenzie and an Elmhurst error handed the third set to the Bison.
Elmhurst never trailed in the fourth set, taking a quick 12-8 lead and extending its cushion to six points at 19-13. Bethany fought back, using a 9-3 run to close to within a point at 23-22. Elmhurst had a match point at 24-23, but the Bison evened the score at 24-all after an Elmhurst error. A kill by
Shannon Burns and an ace from
Peggy Clemens sealed the set and the match for the Bluejays.
Elmhurst hit .236 for the match with 61 kills and 24 errors in 157 attempts. Bethany finished the contest hitting .231 with 54 kills and 17 errors in 160 swings.
Four Bluejays reached double figures in kills.
Sam Szarmach totaled a double-double with 16 kills and 10 digs.
Melissa Nava added 11 kills and four blocks while
Jackie Pavilonis tallied 13 kills and four blocks.
Shannon Burns chipped in with 10 kills.
Peggy Clemens led the squad in digs with 24 while
Hannah Nimrick totaled 45 assists and seven kills for the Bluejays.
 Dakota McKenzie led Bethany in the loss with 17 kills. Dylana McKenzie added 15 kills for the Bison, Mackenzie Lauber totaled 40 assists and 10 digs.
Elmhurst closes out their own tournament by hosting sixth-ranked Juniata College at 2:00 p.m.
