Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton volleyball team defeated Albion College, 3-0 on Friday night in King Arena. The Thunder won the first set 25-21, picked up a 25-13 win in the second set and rallied for a 25-22 victory in the third set.
Audrey Gerze led the Thunder with 15 kills on the night and she added 11 digs.
Colleen Smith recorded nine kills with 12 digs.
Ellie Brown tallied eight kills.
Marlee Anderson distributed a team-high 18 assists and
Alecia Funk made 16. Funk and Gerze each had two service aces.
Allie High led the Thunder with 22 digs.
Wheaton won the first set 25-21. Gerze had a strong effort in the opening set with six kills and
Colleen Smith added four kills. High recorded 12 digs in the set. Wheaton snapped a 6-6 tie with five-consecutive points to take an 11-6 lead. Albion gradually trimmed into Wheaton's lead and got within one point to trim the Thunder lead to 19-18. The Thunder earned two-consecutive points to increase its lead to 21-18 as the hosts held on for the win in the opening set.
The Thunder easily won the second set 25-13. Gerze again had a team-best six kills in the set, with three kills each for Brown and
Colleen Smith. Gerze led the Thunder with six digs in the second set. Wheaton snapped a 5-5 tie early in the set with five-consecutive points to take a 10-5 lead. The Thunder gradually continued to increase its lead in the set from that point, leading by as many points as 13 at 24-11.
Wheaton rallied to win the third set 25-22. Brown led the Thunder with four kills in the set, with Gerze and
Deborah Smith each tallying three kills. High had five digs in the set. Albion scored the first five points in the set and continued to lead a 14-10. The Thunder responded with six-unanswered points to gain its first lead in the set at 16-14. The Britons battled back to take a 21-20 lead in the set. A kill by Gerze tied the set at 21-21. Both teams traded kills on the next two points for a 22-22 tie. Brown swung for kill to give Wheaton the 23-22 lead. A block by Brown and
Deborah Smith gave Wheaton the opportunity to serve for match point at 24-22. Funk's ace on the serve gave Wheaton the 25-22 win in the set and the victory in the match.
The Thunder will face University of Dubuque tomorrow afternoon in a match at North Central College.
