PICTURED ABOVE: Shelby Knowles (PICTURED LEFT) led Wheaton in kills in both matches on Friday and Kelli Manning (PICTURED RIGHT) led the Thunder in digs.

Elmhurst, Ill. – The Thunder volleyball team opened its season on Friday at the Elmhurst College Invitational will matches against nationally recognized opponents. Wheaton opened the day with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 19-25, 25-20) win against Hendrix College and UW-Whitewater topped the Thunder 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-13) in the final session of the day. Hendrix entered today's action receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Division III Coaches Poll and UW-Whitewater is ranked 24^th in the poll.

Shelby Knowles led the Thunder in the win against Hendrix with 14 kills, four service aces and she added 12 digs. Newcomer Sydney Vischer tallied seven kills and Hannah Japp recorded six kills. Setters Ashley Torok and Kelly Thornton each distributed 15 assists in the match. Japp recorded five total blocks and Kelli Manning led the Thunder with a team-high 17 digs.
 
In Wheaton's matchup with the Warhawks, Knowles led all players with 26 kills and a .353 attack percentage. Japp tallied seven kills in the match as Vischer, Katie Rohrer and Emilly Potts each contributed four kills. Torok had 24 assists in the match and Thornton contributed 18 assists. Manning led the Thunder with 17 digs and Knowles tallied nine digs.

Wheaton will conclude its participation in the tournament on Saturday with two matches. The Thunder will face St. Mary's (Ind) at 2:00 p.m. and take on Edgewood College at 4:00 p.m.