ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University volleyball team handed Wheaton College its first CCIW loss of the season as the Bluejays' silenced the Thunder 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 in front of a senior-day crowd at R.A. Faganel Hall.
 
Elmhurst improved to 11-10 overall and 4-2 in the CCIW with the victory while Wheaton fell to 13-9 overall and 5-1 in league play.
 
Elmhurst jumped out to an early 6-3 lead in the opening set and carried the lead all the way to the end. Wheaton pulled to within a point on multiple occasions, but leading 17-15, the Bluejays used a 4-1 run to open up a 21-16 advantage. The Thunder fought off two set points before Emily Duis pounded down a kill to give the Bluejays the opening set.
 
Elmhurst broke open an 11-11 tie in the second set with a 10-0 run behind the serve of Emily Finkbeiner. Elmhurst never looked back, putting away the Thunder 25-15.
 
The third set featured 11 ties and five lead changes as the two teams slugged it out for most of the set. The Bluejays had an early 13-9 lead but Wheaton responded with an 8-2 run to take a 17-15 advantage. The Bluejays pulled rattled off the next three points to move back in front, but Wheaton pulled even at 19-all. The Bluejays ripped off three straight points to move in front 22-19 before pulling away for the 25-21 victory.
 
Elmhurst hit .204 for the match, finishing with 38 kills and 16 errors in 108 swings. Jada Wiley led the Bluejays' offense with 14 kills. Taylor Zurliene added seven kills and 15 digs while Duis totaled six kills and a block. Elise Rossing added five kills and four blocks while Katelyn Bower finished with four kills and five blocks. Erin Murray led the squad in assists with 23 while Valerie Thomas totaled a team-leading 16 digs. Emily Finkbeiner chipped in with five digs and three aces.
 
Wheaton finished the contest hitting .089 with 28 kills and 18 errors in 112 attempts. Colleen Smith led the Thunder with seven kills and 10 errors in the loss.
 
Elmhurst seniors Thomas, Zurliene, Duis, Finkbeiner and Kayla Mast played their final regular season home match at R.A. Faganel Hall and were honored in a pregame ceremony.
 
Elmhurst travels to North Park University on Tuesday, October 19.