NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst volleyball team totaled a season-high 17 blocks while upending North Central College 25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24.

Elmhurst, ranked 15th in the latest AVCA Division III national poll, improved to 21-8 overall and remained at the top of the CCIW standings by upping its league mark to 4-1. 

The first set was even at 17-17 before a 5-1 run put the Bluejays in front 22-18. North Central closed to within two points at 22-20, but kills from Hannah Davis and Alli Rogers and an ace from Hannah Nimrick sealed the set for the Bluejays at 25-20.

Leading 10-9 early in the second set, North Central (18-11, 2-3 CCIW) used a 7-2 run to grab a 17-11 lead. Elmhurst pulled to within two points at 19-17, but the Cardinals extended their cushion back to five points at 24-19. Elmhurst fought off four set points before a kill from Cara Howell gave the Cardinals the set. 

Elmhurst broke a 7-7 tie in the third set with a 7-2 run, taking a 14-9 lead in the process. North Central came no closer than a two-point deficit for the rest of the set as a kill from Shannon Burns put the set away for the Bluejays at 25-19.

North Central opened up a quick 6-1 lead in the fourth, but the Bluejays answered back with a 10-4 run to take an 11-10 lead. The two teams traded points until North Central grabbed a slight 23-21 lead. A kill from Mel Lundin and a block from Davis pulled Elmhurst even at 23-all. North Central grabbed a set point on a kill from Anna Billman, but a kill from Lundin evened the score at 24-24. A block from Lundin gave Elmhurst a match point and Mary Lawrence stuffed Howell with a block to end the set and the match for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst hit .159 with 49 kills and 26 errors in 145 attempts, but the Bluejays' net play was outstanding, setting a new season-high in blocks with 17. Nimrick led Elmhurst's attack, recording her ninth triple-double of the season, totaling a team-leading 13 kills and 27 assists to go with 10 digs. Davis added eight kills and a pair of blocks while Lawrence finished with eight kills and five blocks. Jamie Vargo added six kills and three blocks while Rogers tallied four kills, four blocks and three aces. Peggy Clemens led the squad in digs with 12 while Amy Schryver and Kerry Swain tallied 10 digs apiece.

North Central finished the contest hitting .101 with 50 kills and 34 errors on 158 attempts. Howell paced the Cardinals in the loss with 15 kills. Laura Kluk added 37 assists and 21 digs while Amanda Walker totaled nine kills. 

Elmhurst hosts Millikin University next Wednesday, October 28.