SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Elmhurst volleyball team opened the 2017 season by splitting a pair of contests at the UC-Santa Cruz Tournament. 

The 21st ranked Bluejays opened the day with a three-set loss to fifth-ranked Southwestern (Texas) but bounced back to sweep Western New England in the nightcap.

SOUTHWESTERN 3, ELMHURST 0 - Elmhurst opened the season with a 25-18, 25-22, 26-24 loss to fifth-ranked Southwestern. 

The first set was tight with Elmhurst pulling even at 16-16 and trailed just 19-18, but Southwestern won the final six points to take the opening set. The Bluejays build a 20-17 lead in the second set before Southwestern rattled of four straight points to take a 21-20 lead. Elmhurst pulled even at 21-all before the Pirates put the set away. The Bluejays dug themselves a major hole in the third set, falling behind 10-3. Elmhurst slowly chipped away at the deficit, pulling to within six points at 22-16. The Bluejays ripped off six straight points to pull even at 22-all before gaining a set point at 24-23. Southwestern scored the final three points to take the set and the match.

Elmhurst finished the contest hitting .147 with 31 kills and 16 errors in 102 attempts. Southwestern hit .170 with 38 kills and 21 errors in 100 attacks.

Alli Rogers led Elmhurst in the loss, totaling 12 kills and five digs. Bailey Brouwer added seven kills while Hannah Davis totaled four kills, four aces and two blocks. Amy Schryver led the Bluejays' defense with 14 digs while also totaling five assists. 

ELMHURST 3, WESTERN NEW ENGLAND 0 - Elmhurst closed the night with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-13 victory to even their record at 1-1 on the year. 

Elmhurst led the opening set 19-13 before Western New England (0-2) closed to within a point at 19-18. The Bluejays closed the set with a 6-1 run to earn the win. The Bluejays trailed by as many as eight points at 20-12 in the second set, before mounting a furious rally. Elmhurst closed to within four points at 22-18 before completing the rally by scoring the final seven points of the set. Elmhurst dominated the third, racing out to an 11-1 lead and never looking back. The Bluejays led by as many as 14 points while coasting to the 25-13 victory.

Elmhurst hit .114 with 37 kills and 24 errors in 114 attempts. Davis led the Bluejays in the win, totaling 10 kills, eight digs and five assists. Rogers added eight kills and 10 digs while Taylor Zurliene finished with four kills, five aces and 12 digs. Amy Schryver totaled 14 digs and seven assists for the Bluejays in the win.

Elmhurst faces Mills and UC-Santa Cruz on the tournament's second day.