WHEATON, Ill. – The Elmhurst volleyball team picked up its first CCIW victory of the season by scoring a 25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-21 road victory over Wheaton College.
 
Elmhurst improved to 8-9 overall and 1-2 in the CCIW with the victory while Wheaton slid to 10-7 on the season and 0-3 in league play.
 
Wheaton built an early 12-9 lead in the opening set before Elmhurst pulled even at 15-all. The Bluejays ripped off six straight points to grab a 21-15 lead before putting away the first set at 25-22.
 
The second set was even at 10-10 after the first 20 points, but the Bluejays rattled off six straight points to open up a 16-10 lead. Wheaton came no closer than three points for the remainder of the set as Elmhurst pulled away for the 25-17 win.
 
The third set was a back-and-forth affair as neither team led by more than two points early. Wheaton opened up an 18-15 lead, only for Elmhurst to pull even at 19-19. The Thunder used a 5-2 run to open up a 24-21 lead. The Bluejays fought off two set points before an Elmhurst service error gave the set to the Thunder.
 
Elmhurst opened up a 12-9 lead early in the fourth only to have Wheaton answer back and take an 18-16 lead with a 9-4 run. Elmhurst evened the score at 20-all and won the next two points to build a two-point cushion. After an Elmhurst error brought the Thunder to within a point at 22-21, the Bluejays won the next three points on a kill and two aces from Bailey Brouwer.
 
Elmhurst hit .203 for the match with 55 kills and 24 errors in 153 attacks. Three players reached double figures in kills, led by Brouwer's 15. Brouwer added nine digs and four aces in the victory. Taylor Zurliene totaled 13 kills while Payton Froats finished with 10 kills and three blocks. Kelly Townsend finished with a double-double of a team-leading 25 assists along with 12 digs. Valerie Thomas led the squad in digs with 27.
 
Colleen Smith paced the Thunder in the loss, totaling 15 kills and 12 digs. Audrey Gerze added seven kills while Jess Bosse tallied 19 digs for the Thunder.
 
Elmhurst hosts North Central College on Tuesday, October 2.