Decatur, Ill. - The Thunder volleyball team returned to the CCIW Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday night, for the program's first appearance since 2016. Millikin defeated Wheaton 3-0 in the first round match of the 2109 CCIW Tournament. The Big Blue won the first set 25-20, followed by a 25-23 victory in the second set and a 25-18 Millikin victory in the third set.

Wheaton concludes the season with a 17-13 overall record. Millikin (21-12) advances to the tournament's semifinal round to play at No. 2 seed Illinois Wesleyan on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Audrey Gerze led the Thunder with seven kills, and Colleen Smith added five kills. Marlee Anderson had a team-higjh 10 assists for Wheaton and Alecia Funk had nine.

Allie High led the Thunder with 17 digs and also had a team-high with three service aces. Funk added nine digs for Wheaton.