CHICAGO, Ill. - The Elmhurst University women's volleyball team dropped their conference opener to No. 12 North Park Thursday evening on the road.

Elmhurst (6-5, 0-1 CCIW) proved to be a tough out for the hosts, requiring extra points in the opening set and dominating set two. However, the nationally-ranked Vikings (9-0, 1-0 CCIW) were able to regain control thanks to a strong block and attack in the final two sets.

Jada Wiley led the way with 13 kills and nine digs for the Jays, also tallying six service aces to highlight the Elmhurst effort Thursday evening.

Elmhurst kept a strong effort in the first set, trading points and going toe-to-toe with their ranked foes, taking a 17-13 lead late in set one after a pair of aces and Viking errors. However, the hosts would bounce right back with a five-point burst of their own, eventually setting up set point. Elmhurst fought off two set points to take a 25-24 lead, but dropped three-straight points to allow North Park to take the opener, 27-25.

In set two, Elmhurst cruised to a 25-16 win after holding the Vikings to -.043 attack percentage and hitting .216 themselves. However, after that point, the Vikings would turn up the heat on both sides of the ball, totaling 13 blocks on the evening, and taking the match three sets to one.

UP NEXT

The Bluejays continue CCIW action next Wednesday, Sept. 25, hosting Illinois Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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