WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Elmhurst University volleyball team pushed Berry College (Ga.) to the limit but came up just short in a five-set battle at the Kris Russell Volleyball Arena in Whitewater, Wis. Berry prevailed 25-11, 18-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-11 to hand the Bluejays a 3-2 defeat.

Berry controlled the opening set behind a .462 hitting percentage, using a string of early kills and service aces to build separation for a 25-11 win. Elmhurst regrouped in the second, racing out to a 4-0 lead on kills from Ashley Clardy and setter Freddie Temple. Blair Johnson and Keely Larson powered the offense from there, with Johnson racking up multiple kills in transition and Larson adding another as the Bluejays hit .350 for the frame to even the match with a 25-18 victory.

The third set swung back and forth with nine ties, but Berry used a late run sparked by Lura Underwood's serving to pull away 25-20. Elmhurst answered in the fourth, trading points throughout the set before closing strong. Paige Belfield and Clardy combined for key kills down the stretch, and Johnson capped the frame with a kill to secure a 25-23 Bluejay win and force a decisive fifth.

In the final set, Elmhurst held an early lead after Belfield and Larson connected for back-to-back points, but Berry countered with timely serving and a balanced attack to edge the Bluejays 15-11.

Elmhurst finished with 64 kills on a .242 attack percentage while digging 72 balls. Johnson led the way with 21 kills, 12 digs, and two service aces. Clardy added 14 kills, while Larson chipped in 11 kills and six digs. Temple orchestrated the offense with 48 assists and added nine digs. Belfield delivered a spark off the bench with nine kills at a .368 clip.