ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University volleyball team's 2021 season came to a close with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-21 loss to North Park University in the opening round of the CCIW Championship.
 
The first 25 points of the first set were tightly contests as North Park (20-10) jumped out to a quick lead with Elmhurst staying no more than three points down. The Bluejays trailed North Park 13-12 before the Vikings rattled off six straight points to open up a 19-12 advantage. The Vikings outscored Elmhurst 6-3 down the stretch to go up a set at 25-15.
 
Elmhurst grabbed a quick 4-2 lead in the second set before North Park scored the next five points to open up a 7-4 lead. Elmhurst managed to pull even at 13-all but the Vikings responded with a 6-1 run to open up a 19-14 cushion. Elmhurst pulled to within four points at 21-17 but the Vikings pulled away for the 25-19 win.
 
North Park raced out to a commanding 11-3 lead in the third set. The Vikings led 19-10 before Elmhurst mounted a later rally, closing to within four points at 20-16. The Bluejays fought off a pair of match points from the Vikings before Adriana Rodriguez put the match away for North Park.
 
Elmhurst hit .152 for the match with 33 kills and 16 errors in 112 attempts. The Bluejays struggled with their service, finishing with just two aces while committing 10 errors. Jada Wiley led the squad with 11 kills in the loss. Taylor Zurliene finished with seven kills and six digs. Katelyn Bower and Elise Rossing finished with five kills apiece. Kellyn Kennedy led the squad in assists with 16 while Erin Murray totaled 11. Valerie Thomas finished with 19 digs while Emily Finkbeiner tallied nine.
 
North Park hit .290 for the match with 42 kills and 11 errors in 107 swings. Rodriguez led the way with 11 kills and 12 digs while Taylor Guy and Shamyia Collier added 10 kills apiece for the Vikings.
 
Elmhurst finished the 2021 season with a 16-13 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the CCIW, good for second-place in the league standings.