Chicago, Ill— Women's Volleyball (11-13, 6-5 NACC) edged out Benedictine University (11-13, 6-4 NACC) in a five-set match at Keating Sports Center, winning by scores of 25-23, 19-25, 25-13, 17-25, 15-10. Illinois Tech's attack was highlighted by 15 kills in the third set, helping to secure a crucial home victory.

Illinois Tech secured the first set with a late surge to overcome Benedictine, finishing the period 25-23. The home team initially struggled as Benedictine took an early 4-2 lead, aided by service aces from Emma Cuzas. Illinois Tech responded with contributions from London Francis and Victoria Aspurez, closing the gap to 12-11 after a series of kills. Despite Benedictine maintaining a slim advantage, Illinois Tech capitalized on service errors and a crucial service ace by Veronica Lopez to tie the score at 23. Lopez continued her effective serving, recording another ace to clinch the set for the Scarlet Hawks.

Benedictine secured the second set with a 25-19 victory over Illinois Tech. The set featured a series of service errors from both teams, contributing to the fluctuation in scoring. Illinois Tech's Aspurez provided a key kill to tie the set at 15-15, assisted by Lopez, but the Eagles responded with a series of points, including a kill by Jordan Vanarsdale to extend their lead. Illinois Tech's comeback efforts were hindered by multiple attack errors, allowing Benedictine to capitalize and close out the set. A final attack error by Lilia Donaldson sealed the set for Benedictine.

Illinois Tech dominated the third set, securing a convincing 25-13 victory over Benedictine. The home team jumped to an early lead with a series of successful plays, including a service ace and kill by Karla Trautmann Mendez. Francis contributed with a kill, continuing the momentum. Lopez consistently set up her teammates, assisting on multiple points including kills by Aspurez and Cecilia Veters. Benedictine struggled to keep pace, committing several attack errors, including the final point, an attack error by Cuzas, which sealed the set for Illinois Tech.

Benedictine started the fourth set with a strong 5-0 lead, capitalizing on multiple attack errors from Illinois Tech. Jordan Fleming's and Sophia Sommesi's kills kept the momentum on Benedictine's side, extending their advantage to 11-3. Trautmann Mendez and Aspurez managed to get a few points for the Scarlet Hawks, but their efforts were overshadowed by Benedictine's consistent scoring, including key kills from Katie Dittmar and Vanarsdale. Despite a late service ace from Brooke Rifkin and kills by Karla Leonte, Illinois Tech couldn't close the gap. Benedictine sealed the set 25-17 after a service error from Lopez.

Illinois Tech secured a 15-10 victory in the fifth set against Benedictine with a series of key plays. Trautmann Mendez contributed decisively with two kills, while Lopez assisted on multiple scoring plays, including a kill by Leonte that initiated Illinois Tech's lead. Maya Zinkiewicz's service ace and subsequent plays extended the advantage to 4-0 early in the set. Despite a brief challenge from Benedictine, including a kill by Sommesi, Illinois Tech maintained control and finished with a kill from Veters, assisted by Lopez, to close the set.

Illinois Tech Top Performers  

Francis, London  
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- 8 kills (6 errors, 19 attempts) with a .105 hitting percentage  
- 6 total blocks  
- 12 points  

Sebastio, Anna Elena Sofia  
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- 26 digs  

Aspurez, Victoria  
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- 11 kills (2 errors, 28 attempts) with a .321 hitting percentage  
- 13 points  

Trautmann Mendez, Karla  
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- 17 kills (10 errors, 49 attempts)  
- 19 points  

Lopez, Veronica  
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- 45 assists  
- 7 digs

Benedictine Top Performers  
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Jordan Vanarsdale  
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- 8 kills  
- 0.467 attack percentage  
- 5 total blocks  

Sophia Sommesi  
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- 11 kills  
- 16 digs  
- 13.5 total points  

Brooke Wisniewski  
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- 17 digs  
- 3 assists  

Taylor Coutts  
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- 16 assists  
- 9 digs  

Up Next
Illinois Tech will face St. Norbert College on Saturday, Nov. 1, at noon in De Pere, Wisconsin.