Match 1 Box Score

Match 2 Box Score

Wheaton, Ill. - As hosts of the Wheaton College Four-Team Tournament, the Thunder volleyball team split its two matches on Saturday to run its season record to 8-4.

In the morning match, Wheaton defeated Monmouth College by a 3-1 margin. The Fighting Scots took the first set 25-23, but the Thunder regrouped to handily take the last three sets 25-13, 25-19, 25-17.

Freshman outside hitter Megan McKinley (PICTURED ABOVE) jump-started the offense with a team-best 16 kills and added nine digs. Senior setter Jenna McCallister contributed in all areas, tallying nine kills, 39 assists, eight digs and five block assists. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Buyse came up with eight kills and four block assists while the defensive effort was led by Kaitlyn Graham Novosad (21 digs) and Cassie Murphy (17 digs).

The afternoon match between Wheaton and Bethel University was a back-and-forth affair the whole way. The Royals took the opening set 25-23, but the Thunder showed poise to take sets two and three by scores of 27-25 and 25-20. However, Bethel squeezed out the fourth set 25-23 and took the win in the fifth 15-10.

McKinley was led in kills once again with 24 along with four aces and 11 digs. McCallisted totaled eight kills, 36 assists and 28 digs. Murphy added eight kills and 20 digs. Buyse collected eight kills and five blocks. Graham Novosad (PICTURED RIGHT) topped the squad with 31 digs.

In the day's other matches, University of Chicago rallied past Bethel 3-2 (18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13) and Chicago also topped Monmouth 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-13).