ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst volleyball team upped its record to 26-6 on the season following a 25-12, 25-22, 23-25, 25-12 win over North Central College.

Elmhurst, ranked 16th in the latest AVCA Division III poll, improved to 3-3 in the CCIW while North Central fell to 18-11 overall and 1-5 in the CCIW.
 
The Bluejays jumped all over the Cardinals in the opening set, winning nine of the first ten points while building an eight-point advantage. North Central never came closer than a five point deficit for the remainder of the set as the Bluejays' pulled away for the 25-12 win.
 
Elmhurst started quickly in the second, building a 13-3 advantage before North Central began to heat up. Trailing 19-9, the Cardinals used a 12-2 run to pull even at 21-all. Claire Vrabec served up five aces during an 8-0 run for North Central. A service error and attack error on North Central put Elmhurst up 23-21. After the Cardinals closed to within a point, back-to-back kills from Melissa Nava sealed the set for Elmhurst at 25-22.
 
North Central started strong in the third, building a 9-4 cushion before Elmhurst pulled even at 13-13. North Central responded with a 5-1 run to grab a four-point lead at 18-14, but Elmhurst answered back with a 7-2 run to go in front 21-20. With the score even at 23-all, kills from Vrabec and Cara Howell handed the third set to the Cardinals.
 
Elmhurst jumped back in front in the fourth set, building a 10-5 lead after 15 points. The Cardinals closed to within four points at 12-8, but the Bluejays closed the set on a 13-4 run to put the match away.
 
Elmhurst hit .246 for the match with 50 kills and 21 errors in 118 attacks. North Central finished the contest hitting .037 with 31 kills and 26 errors in 134 attacks.
 
Nava powered Elmhurst's attack with 14 kills and four blocks while hitting .571 for the match.  Playing their final match at R.A. Faganel Hall, Elmhurst seniors Sam Szarmach and Jackie Pavilonis combined for 19 kills. Szarmach added 10 digs to record a double-double while Pavilonis added three blocks. Hannah Nimrick finished one kill shy of a triple-double, finishing with nine kills, 36 assists and 10 digs. Alli Rogers chipped in with three kills and five aces while Peggy Clemen led the squad in digs with 14.
 
Howell and Vrabec finished with seven kills apiece to lead North Central in the loss. Laura Kluk added 25 assists while Jill Galovic totaled 22 digs.
 
Elmhurst travels to the Benedictine University Invitational this weekend.