ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University volleyball team rallied from a set-down to topple Millikin University 25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-5 in a thrilling five-set match at R.A. Faganel Hall.
Elmhurst improved to 3-2 in the CCIW while Millikin slid to 13-7 overall and 3-3 in league play.
With the first set even at 14-14, the Bluejays surged in front with a 5-1 run. Elmhurst pushed its lead up to five points and held off a late push from Millikin to take the opening set 25-21.
Millikin answered back in the second, breaking a 14-14 tie to move in front 18-14. The Bluejays closed to within a point at 21-20, but the Big Blue rattled off the next four straight points to win the set.
The third set was nearly identical to the second with Millikin opening a 12-all tie with a 5-1 run. Elmhurst pulled to within two points at 22-20 before falling 25-20.
Elmhurst fell behind 8-4 and trailed again at 10-8 in the fourth set, before the Bluejays rattled off a 9-1 run behind
Emily Finkbeiner's serve to open up a 17-11 cushion. Elmhurst led by as many as nine before cruising to the 25-17 win to set up a decisive fifth set.
The Bluejays carried the momentum into the fifth set, opening with a 6-1 run and never looking back. An
Elise Rossing kill sealed the set and the match for the Bluejays.
Elmhurst hit .163 for the contest with 54 kills and 25 errors in 178 attempts. The Bluejays held a 14-7 edge in total blocks and a 12-3 edge in service aces.
Three players reached double figures in kills to pace the Bluejays' offense.
Taylor Zurliene led the way with 18 kills and 10 digs. Rossing and
Jada Wiley totaled 10 kills and four blocks apiece in the victory.
Emily Duis added eight kills and eight blocks while
Katelyn Bower pounded down five kills and tallied six blocks.
Erin Murray led the squad in assists with 27 while
Kellyn Kennedy added 17.
Valerie Thomas and Peyton Ceh finished with 21 digs apiece while Finkbeiner tallied 11. Ceh led the squad in aces with four.
Millikin was led by Tori Stuart's 17 kills and 14 digs. Lauren Brummel finished with 10 kills and five digs.
Elmhurst hosts Wheaton College on Friday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m.
