PICTURED ABOVE: Audrey Irwin tallied a team-high seven kills against Millikin on Tuesday night in King Arena.

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton volleyball team opened CCIW play on Tuesday night with a matchup against No. 12 ranked Millikin University. The Big Blue bested the Thunder 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-16) in the matchup.

Millikin won the decisive first set 25-13 as the Big Blue had 20 kills in the set.

The Big Blue escaped with a 25-21 victory in the tightly contested second set.

The Thunder worked to an 11-9 lead in the set. However, the guests responded with four-consecutive points to take a 13-11 lead. Millikin never relinquished the lead following the 4-0 swing. Thunder freshman Audrey Irwin tallied a set-high five kills and Kelly Thornton (PICTURED LEFT) added 10 assists.

Millikin closed out the match by winning the third set 25-16.

Irwin led the Thunder with seven kills in the match as she posted a .333 attack percentage. Senior Katie Rohrer registered six kills and she added a team-best three assisted blocks. Thornton had 15 assists, Jessica Bosse contributed nine digs and Jackie Boulris tallied eight digs.

Erin Syversen led the Big Blue with 15 kills and Rose Syversen distributed 21 assists. Meredith Artime led all players with 15 digs.

Wheaton returns to action on Thursday night at University of Chicago. The Thunder take on the No. 25 ranked Maroons at 6:00 p.m.