LISLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst volleyball team rallied from a set down to clip DePauw University 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 25-18-15-13 at the Benedictine University Invitational.

Elmhurst improved to 29-6 with the victory while DePauw slipped to 22-11 on the year. 

The Bluejays raced out to a 10-6 lead in the opening set, before DePauw rallied back with a 10-3 run to go in front 16-13. Elmhurst pulled even at 17-17 and the score was deadlocked at 21-21. Back-to-back kills from Sam Szarmach and Alli Rogers gave Elmhurst a 23-21 cushion. DePauw closed to within a point after a kill from Mary Kate Etling, but kills from Jackie Pavilonis and Shannon Burns ended the first set for the Bluejays at 25-22.

With the score even at seven in the second set, DePauw used an 8-3 run to grab a 15-10 lead and take control of the set. Elmhurst came no closer than a four-point deficit as DePauw pulled away for the 25-18 win. 

The two teams traded points for most of the third set with the score even at 20-20 after the first 40 points. A pair of kills from Molly Rinehart and a pair of errors on Elmhurst gave the Tigers a 24-20 cushion. The Bluejays fought off two set points before a kill from Etling gave the third set to DePauw at 25-22. 

Elmhurst dominated the fourth set as the Bluejays' never trailed. Elmhurst raced out to a 14-8 lead and extended their cushion to nine points at 20-11 and again at 23-14 before putting the set away at 25-18. 

The Bluejays jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fifth and decisive set. Elmhurst padded extended its lead to 12-6 before the Tigers answered back with a 4-0 run to pull to within two. A kill from Rogers and a DePauw error gave Elmhurst four match points at 14-10. DePauw fought off two points before a Hannah Nimrick kill sealed the set and the match for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hit .200 for the match with 62 kills and 25 errors in 185 swings. DePauw finished the contest with 56 kills and 27 errors in 174 swings, hitting .167 for the contest.

Szarmach powered the Bluejays with a double-double, totaling 18 points and 14 digs to go with three blocks. Nimrick added 10 kills, 44 assists, four aces, nine digs and four blocks in the victory. Jackie Pavilonis added 13 kills and four blocks while hitting a team-best .323. Nava added nine kills and four blocks while Rogers chipped in with seven kills. Peggy Clemens led the squad in digs with 27.

Elisabeth Wilson paced DePauw with 17 kills in the loss. Laren Falotico added 10 kills while Faith Rolwes added 44 assists and seven kills. Etling added nine kills while Keely McGrath finished with 24 digs.

Elmhurst closes out the Benedictine Tournament by taking on the University of Chicago.