GRINNELL, Iowa - The Elmhurst University volleyball team opened its 2021 schedule by sweeping the University of Wisconsin-Stout 25-22, 25-14, 25-19 on the first day of the Grinnell/Central Tournament. 

The opening set was tight, featuring 16 ties and six lead changes before the Bluejays' took control. Elmhurst hit .302 for the opening set with 18 kills and five errors in 43 attempts. The Bluejays led from wire-to-wire in the second set and then grabbed control early in the third to finish the sweep. 

Three players reached double figures in kills to power Elmhurst's attack. Taylor Zurliene finished with 14 kills and seven digs while Emily Duis and Jada Wiley added 10 kills apiece for Elmhurst. Duis added a pair of solo blocks for the Bluejays in the win. Katelyn Bower added five kills while Elise Rossing chipped in with four. Erin Murray finished with a team-high 33 assists and two aces while Valerie Thomas led the squad in digs with 10. 

Sidney Hoverman paced UW-Stout in the loss with nine kills. Jessica Barr added seven kills for the Blue Devils. 

Elmhurst takes on Dubuque and UW-River Falls on the tournament's second day.