Aurora, Ill. - The Wheaton volleyball team returned to the road on Wednesday night, following a four-match homestand. Aurora University topped the Thunder 3-0 as the Spartans won the first set 25-9, took the second set 25-18 and Aurora (10-5) closed out the match with a 25-20 victory in the third set. Wheaton is now 10-9 on the season.

Madeline Moore led the Thunder with eight kills. Audrey Gerze, Colleen Smith and Ellie Brown each had five kills. Brown posted a .308 attack percentage for the guests with five kills and one error on 13 swings.

Alecia Funk had a team-high 14 assists and Mia Staub tallied eight assists. Cassie Swiderek had a team-high 10 digs with Jess Bosse and Gerze each adding seven digs. 

Katie Vondra led the Spartans with 13 kills, Lindsey Simpson tallied 12 kills and Imani Freeman had 10 kills. Emily Lines had 40 of Aurora's 47 assists and Julia Wood led the Spartans with 18 digs. Simpson had a team-high five total blocks.

Aurora won the first set 25-9. Wheaton led 6-4 when the Spartans registered 10-consecutive points on the serve of Vondra to give the hosts a 14-6 lead and the first-set win.

The Spartans won the second set 25-18. Again, Wheaton had an early lead in the set with a 5-4 edge for the Thunder. Aurora responded with three-consecutive points to take a 7-5 lead. Aurora continued to lead as the Spartans held a 15-13 advantage when two-straight service aces by Swiderek tied the set at 15-15. The two teams each scored a point following Swiderek's aces to create a 16-16 tie. A kill by Simpson of Aurora gave the Spartans a 17-16 lead and sparked a 7-0 run for Aurora as the hosts pulled away for the win.

Aurora won a tightly contest third set 25-20. There were 11 ties and five lead changes in the set. The final lead change was as the Spartans broke a 17-17 tie with a 5-2 run to give the hosts a 22-19 lead and Aurora closed out the set for the win.

Wheaton returns to action on Friday with matches against UW-La Crosse and St. Thomas (Minn.) at UW-Whitewater's Dig Panici Tournament.