ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst volleyball team improved to 4-1 in the CCIW after holding off North Park for a four-set victory at R.A. Faganel Hall.
Elmhurst improved to 8-11 overall with the 25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 28-26 victory.
Elmhurst jumped out to a quick one set lead after rolling to the 25-17 victory in the opening set. North Park (12-9, 1-3 CCIW) helped the Bluejays by hitting -0.53 with 11 errors.
The Bluejays quickly took control of the second set, opening up a 17-12 lead. The Bluejays led it by six points at 19-13, but North Park ripped off an 8-2 run to pull even at 21-21. Elmhurst quickly reclaimed the lead with back-to-back points. A kill from
Mel Lundin gave the Bluejays the second set at 25-23.
North Park raced out to an early cushion in the third, leading 15-11 and forcing Elmhurst to burn its second timeout. The Bluejays slowly chipped away at the lead, pulling even at 22-22 after an
Allie Skowron kill. The score was even at 23-all but North Park took the set after a kill from Niki Ahlstrand and an attack error on the Bluejays.
The two squads traded points for much of the fourth set with neither team leading by more than two until North Park grabbed an 18-16 lead. The Bluejays pulled even at 22-22 before back-to-back aces from
Rachel Shuty gave Elmhurst a pair of match points. North Park fought off both match points to pull level at 24-24. The Bluejays had a third chance to put the match away, but North Park scored consecutive points to take serve for the set at 26-25. A kill from
Katie Davis evened the score at 26-26.
Alli Rogers followed with a kill and a North Park error gave the Bluejays the set and the match at 28-26.
Elmhurst finished the contest hitting .195 with 53 kills and 21 errors in 164 swings. The Bluejays were solid at the net, recording 11 blocks in the victory. A trio of Bluejays reached double figures in kills to pace the attack. Lundin and
Hannah Davis finished with 14 kills apiece while Rogers registered a double-double of 13 kills and 13 digs. Skowron chipped in with eight kills for the Bluejays.
Cyle Harrison led the team at the net with six kills while
Hannah Davis totaled five. Shuty and
Amy Schryver tallied 15 digs apiece in the win while
Taylor Nirchi tallied 30 assists for the Bluejays.
North Park hit .161 for the contest with 55 kills and 29 errors in 161 swings. Louie Peralta led the way with 16 kills while Lauren Wiltsie totaled 15 for the Vikings.
Elmhurst plays at the Midwest Invitational in Michigan this weekend (October 13-14).
