GEORGETOWN, Texas – Sam Szarmach's career-high 30 kills propelled the Elmhurst volleyball team to a five-set come-from-behind victory over Southwestern University 25-19, 17-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-13.
 

The Bluejays (20-2) trailed 12-8 in the final set, but rallied for seven of the next eight points to take the victory over the Pirates (13-7). Szarmach recorded five kills during that stretch and clinched the win by tallying kills on the final three points.

The Bluejays and Pirates played a tight first set that included nine ties and four lead changes. After the score was tied at 16, Elmhurst used a 9-3 run to take the set. Szarmach won five of those nine points on kills and also added a block with Jackie Pavilonis.

Southwestern took the next two sets handily. The Pirates jumped out to a 20-9 lead in the second set and never looked back. Kaitlyn Foster recorded one of her eight kills to clinch that set. The third set, like the first, was close. This time the Pirates took over, recording nine kills in the final 14 points to take the set 25-16.
 

With the Bluejays' backs against the wall in the fourth, they jumped out to a 16-5 lead. Melissa Nava clinched the set for Elmhurst by sending a kill off a set from Hannah Nimrick.

Elmhurst struggled for much of the fifth set before Szarmach took over. Her 30th kill clinched the match for the Bluejays.

Szarmach's career day ended with 30 kills and three errors on 69 attempts. She led the team with a .391 hitting percentage. Melissa Nava added 16 kills for the Bluejays, while hitting .361. As a team, Elmhurst hit .246.

Hannah Nimrick totaled 52 assists and 11 digs. Amy Schryver led the team in digs with 39, while Peggy Clemens (15), Kerry Swain (13), and Szarmach (12), joined Nimrick and Schryver with double-digit digs.

Southwestern had three players with double-figure kills. Kirby Kincannon led the team with 16, Abbie Robb had 15, and Macey Pool added 13. The Pirates hit .228 as a team in the five-set contest.

Nikki Welch recorded 44 assists for Southwestern, while four players, Lentz (24), Foster (23), Pool (17), and Corbett (14), reached double-digit digs.