AURORA, Ill. - The Elmhurst University women's volleyball team opened its 2026 season at the Jim Coleman Memorial Classic hosted by Aurora University, this past Friday and Saturday with a 1-2 record.
The Bluejays started their weekend with a straight-set victory against Ohio Northern University, before falling to Coe College, 3-1, and Aurora University, 3-0.
Elmhurst 3, Ohio Northern 0
Game Facts
- The Bluejays broke away early for a 7-0 lead, for four kills and two aces in their early run. Only to be matched the rest of the set, with ONU and Elmhurst going back-and-forth. With Elmhurst early lead cutting into the final moments, assistance from Ella Duffy, for Isabella Mendell to come in for a kill followed by an Ashley Clardy final match point set by Freddie Temple.
- Elmhurst opened set two with an error only to respond with four consecutive points, from Tzvetomira Tchohadjieva, Clardy, and Temple for a 4-1 lead. After multiple points going in both directions, Elmhurst benefited from three back-to-back attacking errors, Temple capping off the run with a kill from Elayna Ammerman for a 17-11 lead. The Bluejays continued to take the set with a final kill by Otto from Duffy.
- Elmhurst opened the third set slowly, allowing two kills and an error, only to respond with a kill from Otto, and a beneficial attacking error. The Bluejays returned the energy with two three point runs with two kills from newcomer Katie Hurta, a kill from Clardy, and service aces from Otto, and Ammerman generating an 8-5 lead. Elmhurst proceeded to go on three more runs, securing the win in its last run of three kills, and final service ace by Ammerman to secure the 3-0 set win.
- Ashley Clardy: 11 kills, 2 blocks, 1 dig
- Katie Hurta: 10 kills, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 8 digs
- Amber Otto: 10 kills, 4 service aces, 10 digs
- Freddie Temple: 2 kills, 20 assists, 5 digs
- Ella Duffy: 13 assists, 3 digs
Coe 3, Elmhurst 1
Game Facts
- Elmhurst opened with a strong first set, opening with a 4-2 lead off a 3-0 run. After a small lapse Coe took the lead 8-6, the Bluejays responded with a kill by Ashley Clardy and benefited from an attacking error to tie 8-8. Clardy and Freddie Temple sparked the energy, capitalizing with a 6-0 run taking it to a 18-14 lead. After Coe responded three times, The Bluejays Ella Duffy, and Samantha Webb secured another run, benefiting from Coe's errors to take the set.
- The Bluejays were overcome in the last three sets falling, 25-20, 25-23, and 25-17. Elmhurst hit .108 which included 39 kills and 31 errors in 157 attempts
- Ashley Clardy: 11 kills, 1 block
- Samantha Webb: 11 kills, 1 assists, 2 block, 11 digs
- Freddie Temple: 16 assist, 12 digs
Aurora 3, Elmhurst 0
Game Facts
- The Bluejays fell in straight sets to the Spartans by scores of 25-14, 25-9 and 25-16.
- Elmhurst hit .473 which included 22 kills and 19 errors in 96 attempts
- Katie Hurta: 8 kills, 6 digs
- Ashley Clardy: 4 kills
- Freddie Temple: 11 assist, 6 digs
Up Next: The Bluejays travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the Edgewood University Eagles on Tuesday, Sept. 8. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Todd Wehr Edgedome.
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