PICTURED ABOVE: Andy DeMoss (LEFT) recorded 11 kills against Loras and freshman Emily Potts (RIGHT) tallied nine kills.

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton volleyball team lost a 3-2 decision to Loras College (10-12) at home on Friday night in a non-conference matchup. Wheaton won the first set 25-18 and the Duhawks picked up a 25-18 win in the second set. The Thunder took a 2-1 advantage by winning the third set 25-19, however the Duhawks earned the 25-15 win in the fourth set. Loras rallied from a 9-6 deficit to win the decisive fifth set 15-9.

Thunder sophomore Shelby Knowles led the hosts with 20 kills and she added 18 digs. Andy DeMoss tallied 11 kills, Emily Potts added nine kills and Brittany Creel recorded eight. Ashley Torok distributed 31 assists and Alley Lindner had 23 assists. Kelli Manning had a match high 31 digs, while Hannah Japp recorded five total blocks.

Thunder head coach Brittany Smith noted after the match, "It was a disappointment for our team today, especially when we were leading at the change in the fifth set. Ultimately our stats show we could have won with more kills and blocks, but missed serves and reception errors cost us the game. We need to improve in this area dramatically."

Wheaton won the first set tonight. The opening set was tied 12-12 when Wheaton scored four consecutive points to take a 16-12 lead.  Wheaton retained the lead for the remainder of the set to take the 1-0 lead. Knowles tallied a set-high six kill in the set and Manning recorded nine digs.

Loras took an early 9-1 lead in the second set. Wheaton was able to get within a five-point deficit in the match, but couldn't get any closer. Knowles again led the Thunder in the set with four kills as Manning had six digs and Knowles had five digs.

Wheaton jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the third set, however, Loras battled back to tie the score at 14-14. The score was tied 18-18 when Wheaton tallied six-straight points to take a 24-18 lead as the Thunder won the set 25-19. Knowles tallied five kills in the set.

Loras took an early 9-2 lead in the fourth set as the Duhawks emerged with the 25-15 win. Knowles had four kills to lead Wheaton in the set and Manning tallied seven digs.

Wheaton broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth set to take an 8-5 lead. Wheaton led the Duhawks 9-6 when the guests scored nine consecutive points to earn the win in the set and the match.

Wheaton is now 6-12 on the year and will travel to 10^th-ranked Elmhurst College on October 8.