Holland, Mich. – The Thunder volleyball team played a pair of matches on Friday as part of the nationally-competitive Midwest Invitational, co-hosted by Hope College and Calvin College. Wheaton opened day one at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse with matches against fifth-ranked Hope and a contest against Heidelberg. Hope defeated the Thunder 3-0 in the early session on Friday afternoon and Heidleberg won a 3-0 matchup against Wheaton in the middle session.
 
Hope defeated Wheaton, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-20) this afternoon. Shelby Knowles led the Thunder with eight kills and freshman Madeline Moore added four kills. Senior setter Ashley Torok had 10 assists and Kelly Thornton added eight assists. Sophomore Jessica Bosse recorded 17 digs in the match and Knowles added 11 digs. Freshman Ellie Brown recorded one solo block and three assisted blocks.
 
Heidelberg earned a 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-23) victory over Wheaton in Friday's second session. Freshman Meghan Lacey was Wheaton's kill leader in in the match with 16 and Knowles added 12 kislls. Torok distributed 21 assists and Thornton had 15 assists. Bosse recorded 15 digs, Knowles registered 13 digs and Lacey added 10.
 
Wheaton will travel to the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday for the final day of the tournament.  The Thunder will take on the top-ranked Knights of Calvin College at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) followed by a match against Ohio Wesleyan University at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).