Grand Rapids, Mich. (10/27) – The Thunder volleyball team split its four matches for the weekend at Midwest Invitational, jointly hosted by Calvin College and Hope College. Wheaton is now 18-11 on the season. The Thunder will compete at Elmhurst College on Tuesday night at 7 PM in a play-in match of the 2006 CCIW Tournament.

Wheaton opened the tournament with a 0-3 (29-31, 26-30, 21-30) loss to nationally-ranked Baldwin-Wallace College on Friday. Sophomore Lisa Jutsum led the Thunder with 10 kills, while fellow sophomore Kelli Miller added eight kills. Setter Annie Himmelhaver had a team-high 17 digs and she added 27 assists.

The Thunder rebounded in its second match on Friday with a 3-1 (30-22, 30-21, 25-30, 30-25) win against Kalamazoo College. Junior Calla Young had a team-high 17 kills and Miller added 12 kills. Himmelhaver had 48 assists and junior Leah Whiteley recorded six service aces and a team-high 33 digs.

On Saturday Wheaton earned a 3-0 (30-14, 30-23, 30-25) victory against Muskingum College. Jutsum had a team-high 17 kills and Miller added 15 kills. Himmelhaver added 43 blocks and Whiteley added four service aces. Whiteley, Himmelhaver and Mallory Sullivan each recorded 19 digs.

The Thunder lost to Alma 0-3 (23-30, 31-33, 28-30) in Saturday's final match. Jutsum again led the squad with 18 kills and Sullivan added 14. Himmelhaver recorded 36 assists and Young had four service aces. Whiteley had a team-high 37 digs and added three service aces.