ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst volleyball team, ranked 18th in the latest AVCA Division III poll, improved to 3-0 in the CCIW with a three-set sweep over Carthage College.
 
Elmhurst improved to 11-4 overall with the 25-16, 26-20, 26-24 win over Carthage (7-6, 1-1 CCIW)
 
The Bluejays jumped all over the Lady Reds in the opening set, racing out to a quick 6-1 lead and forcing Carthage to burn a timeout. Elmhurst pushed its lead up to 10 points at 15-5 and Carthage came no closer than a seven-point deficit the rest of the way as the Bluejays cruised to the nine-point win.
 
Elmhurst and Carthage traded points for the majority of the second set with the score even at 16-16. The Bluejays ripped off three straight points behind Mary Lawrence's serve to take a 19-16 lead. Elmhurst pushed its lead up to four at 22-18 before putting the set away at 25-20.
 
The Bluejays broke open a 6-6 tie early in the third set with a 6-0 run behind Kerry Swain's serve. Elmhurst extended its lead to seven point at 17-10, before the Lady Reds used a late run to pull even at 23-23. Carthage fought off an Elmhurst set point at 24-23 to knot the score at 24-24, but kills from Melissa Nava and Hannah Davis finished off the set and the match for Elmhurst.
 
Elmhurst hit .293 for the match with 38 kills and nine errors in 99 swings. Alli Rogers led a balanced Elmhurst attack, with nine kills and six digs. Lawrence added eight kills and five blocks. While Melissa Nava added six kills and four blocks. Hannah Nimrick totaled six kills, 28 assists, two aces and six digs in the victory. Amy Schryver led the squad in digs with 12.
 
Carthage hit just .104 for the contest with 40 kills and 28 errors in 115 attacks. Rachael Kisten led Carthage with eight kills while Mallory Parsons finished with seven. Stephanie Korbakes and Rachel Mickey added six kills apiece for Carthage. Abigial McGowan totaled 19 assists in the loss.
 
Elmhurst travels to the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational this weekend (September 30-October 1).