ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University volleyball team opened CCIW play by falling to Millikin University 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 at R.A. Faganel Hall. 

Elmhurst (2-3, 0-1 CCIW) hung right with Millikin (7-2/1-0 CCIW) for much of the opening set. The Bluejays led 12-10 and the score was tied at 16-16 before Millikin used a 7-1 run to open up a 23-17 lead before pulling away for the 25-18 win. The opening set featured nine ties and six lead changes. 

The Big Blue jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the second set only to have the Bluejays rally back and pull even at 18-18. A 5-0 run from Millikin gave the Big Blue a 23-18 lead before they put the set away at 25-20. 

Millikin raced out to a 19-9 lead in the third set before Elmhurst rattled off five straight points to cut the deficit down to five points. The Bluejays came no closer however, as Millikin pulled away for the victory.

Elmhurst finished the contest hitting .050 with 23 kills and 18 errors in 101 attempts. Millikin hit .228 for the match with 38 kills and 15 errors in 101 swings. 

Elise Rossing and Jada Wiley powered Elmhurst's attack, finishing with seven kills apiece. Wiley added a team-leading 11 digs. Katelyn Bower added three kills and there blocks for the Bluejays. Erin Murray and Kellyn Kennedy finished with eight assists apiece while Kayla Daros served up a pai of aces and totaled eight digs. 

Tori Stuart led Millikin with 10 kills while Kailee Itzenhuiser and Delaney Higgins finished with seven kills apiece. Itzenhuiser and Sophia Howell finished with 14 digs apiece. Sophia Gibbs tallied four blocks while Jessi Kreider finished with three. 

Elmhurst travels to the Hope College Invitational this weekend (September 16-17).