WINONA, Minn. - The Elmhurst University volleyball team kicked off the 2023 season in style, grabbing a pair of victories over the University of Minnesota-Morris, 3-1, and sweeping away Carleton College, 3-0, Friday afternoon at the Sugar Loaf Classic hosted by Saint Mary's University.

Elmhurst (2-0) opened the season with a hard-fought victory over Minnesota-Morris (1-1). After dropping the first set by a score of 19-25, the Bluejays were able to bounce back and grab set two, 25-20, to even the match at one set a piece. The Bluejays proceeded to cruise through the rest of the match, earning 25-19 and 25-16 set wins to take the opening contest of the season.

Transfer outside hitter Aly Reardon led the Bluejays, putting down 10 kills to go with seven digs, while Jada Wiley and Elise Rossing each tallied nine kills a piece. Kellyn Kennedy had a strong opener at the service line, recording five aces and 24 assists, while Payton Ceh tallied 19 digs to lead the Elmhurst defense.

In the second match of the day against Carleton (0-2), the Bluejays dominated with set victories of 25-17, 25-17, and 25-15 to sweep away the opposition. Wiley and transfer Lucy Anderson both tallied 10 kills in the match, with Anderson hitting .833 (10-for-12), while Ceh tallied 24 digs in the match.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will wrap up the Sugar Loaf Classic tomorrow, September 3, with a pair of matches against College of St. Scholastica and Saint Mary's University at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

FOLLOW THE BLUEJAYS

Be sure to keep up with all Elmhurst University Athletics content by following the Bluejays on Twitter (@elmhurstbluejay), Facebook (Elmhurst University Athletics) and Instagram (@elmhurstbluejays), and tune in to elmhurstbluejays.com for the latest news and information.