PICTURED ABOVE: Andy DeMoss led the Thunder with 12 kills tonight.

Rock Island, Ill. – The Wheaton volleyball team earned a critical conference win at Augustana on Tuesday night, 3-1. Wheaton is now 12-17 overall and 4-2 in CCIW play. Tonight's win puts the Thunder very close to clinching a spot in the upcoming CCIW Tournament depending on other results in CCIW matches this week. Augustana is 20-9 overall and 3-4 in conference action.
 
Senior Andy DeMoss led the Thunder with 12 digs and she contributed 23 digs. Sophomore Shelby Knowles tallied eight kills, with a team-high 27 digs. Hannah Japp contributed seven kills, with nine total blocks. Freshman Emily Potts had six total blocks, while Knowles and Alley Lindner each had two service aces. Setter Ashley Torok distributed 20 assists and Linder had 13 assists. Wheaton recorded 13 total team blocks in the match.

Wheaton head coach Brittany Smith noted of her team's effort, "It was great to see our team execute so well tonight. Our defense played well and our blocks took over the match." She added, "Our whole focus was to use our blocks and funnel their attacks, and our defense did really well."

The Thunder will travel to Iowa on Saturday for a tri-match at Cornell College. The Thunder will face Wartburg College at 2 p.m. and Wheaton takes on the host Rams of Cornell at 4 p.m. on Saturday.