HOLLAND, Mich. - The Elmhurst University volleyball team evened its record at 3-3 on the season by defeating Clarkson University 25-16, 26-24, 25-23 in the Bluejays' opening match of the Hope College Invitational. 

Elmhurst raced out to a commanding lead in the opening set, taking a 13-4 lead after 17 points. Clarkson (3-4) closed to within four points at 18-14, but came no closer as Elmhurst finished the set on a 7-2 run. 

Elmhurst fell behind in the second set after Clarkson used a 7-0 run to open up a 16-9 lead. The Bluejays stormed backed, rattling off a 10-3 run to pull even at 19-19. Clarkson served for the set up 24-23, but back-to-back kills from Katelyn Bower gave Elmhurst a 25-24 lead. A Clarkson error gave Elmhurst the set at 26-24. 

Elmhurst jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the third, but Clarkson answered back with a 14-7 run to open up an 18-15 lead. The Bluejays ripped of the next four points to go in front 19-18. After Clarkson pulled even at 19-19, the Bluejays used a 5-2 run to take a 24-21 lead. Clarkson fought off two match points before Bower ended the set with a kill, giving Elmhurst the match. 

Elmhurst hit .211 for the contest, finishing with 39 kills and 15 errors in 114 attempts. Elise Rossing powered Elmhurst's attack, finishing with 11 kills while hitting .391. Keely Larson added nine kills and four blocks while Bower, Lacey Kaiser and Jada Wiley all finished with six kills apiece. Payton Ceh totaled a team-best 15 digs while Wiley finished with 11. Erin Murray tallied 21 assists and Kellyn Kennedy finished with 11.

Sara Galante led Clarkson in the loss with nine kills. Allyson Treichel added eight kills while Alexandra Bergantz finished with nine digs. Isabelle Crow tallied 17 assists. 

Elmhurst plays Otterbein University and Calvin University on the tournament's second day tomorrow (September 17).