GAME STATS Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College volleyball team (3-7) fell to University of Chicago 3-0 on Tuesday night. The Maroons (10-4), who are receiving votes in the current AVCA Division III Coaches Poll, defeated the Thunder 25-18, 25-22, 25-11.

Thunder head coach Brittany Smith said of her team, "With some last minute changes to our lineup it was great to see us fight in the first and second set tonight." She continued, "While our defense really struggled, I thought our setters did a fantastic job creating options for our hitters. The pace of the match was a good opportunity for our team – to see them maintain their focus and energy."
 
Sophomore Shelby Knowles led the Thunder with 13 kills tonight and she added 13 digs.  Senior Andy DeMoss tallied seven kills and Hannah Japp recorded six kills. Setters Ashley Torok and Alley Lindner each distributed 15 assists in the match. Kelli Manning had a team-high 15 digs and Brooke Haskins made five total blocks, including two solos.
 
Chicago never trailed in the first set, taking a 10-5 lead and remaining in control. Japp had five kills in the opening set and Knowles added four kills.
 
The Maroons earned the narrow 25-22 victory in the second set. Chicago led throughout the set; however, the Thunder trimmed the guests' lead to 22-21. Following a Chicago timeout the Maroons won a point to increase their lead to 23-21. Wheaton won the next point to cut the visitors' lead to 23-22, however, the Maroons recorded the next two points on kills by Maren Loe to earn the 25-22 win. Knowles recorded seven kills in the second set and she added six digs.
 
Chicago jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the third set, to a convincing 25-11 win in the final set.  Manning led the Thunder with six digs in the set and Knowles added five.

Wheaton will compete at the Elmhurst College Invitational this Friday and Saturday in Elmhurst, Ill.