Box Score ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst volleyball team, ranked 10th in the latest AVCA Division III poll, opened CCIW play with a four-set win over Augustana College.

Elmhurst improved to 17-2 on the season with a 29-27, 25-11, 22-25, 25-16 victory over Augustana (13-4, 1-1 CCIW).
 

The Bluejays fell behind in the opening set 7-3 and 14-10 before righting the ship. Elmhurst pulled even at 18-18 before surging ahead 19-18. Augustana answered back with a 4-2 run to take a 22-20. The Vikings served for the set at 24-23, but a service error evened the score at 24-all. The Vikings fought off three set points from Elmhurst before Melissa Nava and Alli Rogers combined for a block to end the set for the Bluejays.

The Bluejays raced out to a 9-5 lead in the second set and never looked back. Leading 14-9, the Bluejays closed the set with an 11-2 run to open up a two-set advantage.

Elmhurst opened an early 8-3 cushion in the third, but Augustana answered back, using a 7-1 run to grab a 10-9 lead. The two teams traded points until the score was even at 15-15. Augustana used a 4-1 run to grab a 20-16 advantage. Elmhurst closed to within a point at 23-22, but an error on the Bluejays gave Augustana a set point. The Vikings capitalized as Dory Dudley slammed home a kill to give the third set to Augustana.

The Bluejays raced out to a quick 5-0 lead in the fourth set and never trailed. Augustana closed to within a point at 9-8, but the Bluejays rattled off five straight points to take control of the set. Elmhurst extended its lead to nine points and put the match away on a kill from Sam Szarmach.

Elmhurst hit .312 for the match with 56 kills and 16 errors in 128 attempts. Augustana finished the match hitting .084 with 40 kills and 29 errors in 131 attacks. 

Szarmach totaled 14 kills and 14 digs to lead Elmhurst's attack in the win. Nava totaled 12 kills and five blocks while Jackie Pavilonis finished with nine kills and nine blocks while hitting a team-best .643. Hannah Nimrick totaled nine kills, 39 assists and five blocks in the victory. Rogers added seven kills while Peggy Clemens chipped in with eight digs.

Dudley led Augustana in the loss, finishing with 14 kills. Martha Murray added six kills for the Vikings. Kylie Siebert and Emily Leazer tallied 12 digs apiece for the Vikings.

Elmhurst travels to the Southwestern University tournament in Texas on October 3-4.