GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Elmhurst volleyball team closed out the Southwestern University tournament with a three-set sweep of Hardin-Simmons University, improving to 21-2 in the process.
 

Elmhurst, ranked 10th in the latest AVCA Division III poll, took the match with scores of 25-17, 25-18, 26-24. 

Leading 15-13 in the first set, Elmhurst closed the set on a 10-3 run to open up a quick 1-0 advantage. The Bluejays led from start to finish in the second set, winning 10 of the first 15 points and never looking back. Hardin-Simmons pulled to within two points at 18-16, but the Bluejays closed the set on a 7-2 run to open up a two-sets advantage.

Elmhurst led 16-13 in the third set, before Hardin-Simmons surged back. The Cowgirls used a 7-2 run to take a 20-18 lead. Elmhurst answered back with a 4-1 run to take a 22-21 lead. Hardin Simmons pulled even at 23-23, but a Sam Szarmach kill gave Elmhurst a match point. The Cowgirls fought off the first match point, but back-to-back kills from Hannah Nimrick and Jackie Pavilonis sealed the match for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hit .230 for the match with 42 kills and 14 errors in 122 attacks. Szarmach paced the Bluejays with a double-double, totaling a team-leading 15 kills and 10 digs. Melissa Nava and Nimrick totaled eight kills apiece. Nava added three blocks while Nimrick totaled 25 assists and nine digs. Pavilonis and Olivia Parks added five kills apiece for the Bluejays. Amy Schryver totaled 11 digs and Peggy Clemens added nine for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hosts Wheaton College on Wednesday, October 8.