Elmhust, Ill. — Illinois Tech Women's Volleyball (1-3, 0-0 NACC) edged out Elmhurst University (1-7, 0-0 CCIW) in a thrilling five-set match at R.A. Faganel Hall on Wednesday, winning 25-21, 20-25, 26-28, 25-16, 15-0. 

Illinois Tech claimed the first set 25-21 against the Bluejays, showing strong resilience and capitalizing on key moments. The set began with Elmhurst taking an early 2-0 lead, but the Scarlet Hawks quickly responded, tying the score at 2-2 following an attack error by Ashley Clardy. Illinois Tech's Karla Trautmann Mendez had a notable performance with a kill at 3-3, sparking a 4-0 run that took them to a 6-3 lead, assisted by a service ace from Victoria Aspurez. The Bluejays battled back to tie the score at 9-9, but Ana Jones then seized momentum for the Scarlet Hawks with consecutive kills, contributing to a 5-0 run that extended the lead to 14-11. Despite a late push from Elmhurst with back-to-back service aces narrowing the gap to 23-21, Illinois Tech's Brooke Rifkin secured the set with a final attack error by Ashley Clardy.

The second set saw the Scarlet Hawks taking an early 4-1 lead over Elmhurst, highlighted by a kill from Trautmann Mendez and a series of errors from the Bluejays. Elmhurst responded with a service ace by Gianna Ptaszek, leveling the score at 7-7. The Bluejays then gained momentum with a series of kills by Clardy and Blair Johnson, extending their lead to 18-12. Illinois Tech fought back with a run, including a service ace by Rowan Midgette, narrowing the gap to 21-20. However, Elmhurst closed the set with a service ace and a final kill by Johnson, securing a 25-20 victory in the set.

The third set between Illinois Tech and Elmhurst was closely contested, with neither team able to pull away significantly. Early on, the Scarlet Hawks managed to take small leads, including at 8-7, following a block by Taryn Jones. Elmhurst responded with a series of points, tying the score at 18-18 with a kill by Keely Larson. As the set progressed, Illinois Tech tied the score at 24-24 with a kill from London Francis and briefly took a 25-24 lead after a bad set from Elmhurst's Freddie Temple. However, the Bluejays capitalized on a service error and strong plays from Johnson and Larson, ultimately clinching the set 28-26 with Larson's decisive kill and a closing service ace by Johnson.

Illinois Tech secured a decisive victory in the fourth set against Elmhurst, winning 25-16. The set began with the Bluejays taking an early lead, 2-0, with a service ace by Temple. However, the Scarlet Hawks quickly responded with a series of kills from Aspurez and Trautmann Mendez, powered by setter Midgette, to shift the momentum in their favor. A key run saw Illinois Tech extend their lead to 17-8, as Rifkin delivered a service ace and contributed to blocking Clardy's attack. Despite a brief pushback from Elmhurst, featuring a service ace from Ptaszek, Illinois Tech maintained control, closing out the set with a kill by Aspurez to secure the win.

Illinois Tech dominated the fifth set, shutting out Elmhurst with a decisive 15-0 victory. Midgette was instrumental, starting the set with a service run that included multiple aces and assists. Highlights include service aces against Alexis Casey and Paige Belfield, contributing to the 8-0 lead, and subsequent kills by Trautmann Mendez and Aspurez, further extending the lead. Elmhurst struggled with attacking errors throughout, unable to halt Midgette's momentum, allowing the Scarlet Hawks to close the set without conceding a point.

Illinois Tech Top Performers

Victoria Aspurez
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- 10 kills with a .500 hitting percentage
- 3 service aces
- 5 total blocks
- 15.5 points

Rowan Midgette
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- 33 assists
- 8 service aces
- 7 digs

Sydney Wilson
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- 10 kills with a .348 hitting percentage
- 6 digs
- 11.5 points

Brooke Rifkin
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- 16 digs
- 1 service ace

Francis London
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- 5 total blocks
- 7 points  

Elmhurst Top Performers

Alexis Casey
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- 21 digs
- 5 assists

Keely Larson
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- 8 kills
- 5 total blocks
- 11.5 points

Freddie Temple
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- 34 assists
- 6 digs

Blair Johnson
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- 14 kills
- 15.5 points

Up Next
 Illinois Tech Women's Volleyball will travel to Rock Island, IL, to face Augustana College (IL) on Friday, Sept. 12. The match is set to begin at 5 p.m.