Elmhurst, Ill. - The Thunder volleyball extended its winning streak to eighth matches with four wins this weekend to win the "Elmhurst College Invitational II". Wheaton defeated Marian (Wis.) 3-0 (30-20, 30-21, 30-23 to open the tournament on Friday and closed the first night with a 3-1 (30-27, 30-25, 21-30, 30-21) win against Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Blugolds entered the tournament ranked 25th in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Coaches Poll.
On Saturday Wheaton defeated the host Bluejays of Elmhurst College, 3-0 (30-27, 30-26, 30-24). The Thunder secured the tournament championship with a 3-0 (30-21, 30-22, 30-22) victory against University of Chicago. Juniors Annie Himmelhaver (PICTURED LEFT) and Mallory Sullivan (PICTURED RIGHT) were each named to the All-Tournament team. The Thunder will host Elmhurst on Tuesday night at 7 PM in King Arena in a play-in match for next weekend's CCIW Volleyball Tournament.
Lisa Jutsum led the Thunder with eight kills in the win against Marian. Jamie Knoll recorded six kills, with six blocks. Annie recorded 17 assists, Emily Hamilton distributed 13 assists and Ashlie Pace added three blocks.
In the win against Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Sullivan tallied 11 kills, with 12 digs and two total blocks. Jutsum recorded nine kills, with eight kills for Kelli Miller. Himmelhaver distributed 27 assists, with 13 digs and five service aces. Hannah McGinnis recorded five total blocks and senior #Leah Whiteley-Rupp added 13 digs.
In the victory against Elmhurst on Saturday, Sullivan led the Thunder with 10 kills and she added 23 digs. Jutsum and Calla Young each recorded eight kills and Miller added seven. Himmelhaver distributed 33 assists, adding six kills, 20 digs and two service aces. Miller and Hannah McGinnis each recorded three total blocks. Senior Leah Whiteley-Rupp recorded a team-high 30 digs.
Miller led the Thunder in the win against Chicago with 12 kills and three total blocks. Sullivan recorded 11 kills, with 14 digs and four service aces. McGinnis tallied five total blocks and Himmelhaver recorded 30 assists. Whiteley-Rupp made a team-high 16 digs and she recorded five service aces.
