Milwaukee, Wis. - The Wheaton Thunder volleyball team (13-14) opened up its participation in the two-day Warrior Invitational on Friday. The Thunder faced the tournament's host, Wisconsin Lutheran (11-13), on Friday night as the Warriors defeated Wheaton 3-1. The Thunder won the first set 25-11 and the hosts tied the match with a 25-15 victory in the second set. The Warriors won the third set 25-17 and WLC secured the match with a 25-14 win the decisive fourth set.

 Seniors Audrey Gerze and Colleen Smith each led the Thunder with six kills apiece. Ashton Major and Briley Brogan each had five kills. Marlee Anderson tallied 22 assists, and Gerze added three service aces. Allie High had 20 digs, while Major and Kaylee Byerly each had three total blocks.

Wheaton won the first set 25-11. the Thunder jumped out to a commanding 7-2 lead and never looked back in the convincing win. Smith and Major each had three kills. Gerze recorded all three of her three service aces in the match during the first set. High led the Thunder with six digs in the opening set.

Wisconsin Lutheran scored the first five points of the second set and earned a convincing 25-15 victory in the set. Byerly, Gerze and Smith each had two kills in the set. Anderson led Wheaton with seven assists.

The Warriors again took an early lead in the third set in winning 25-17. Gerze tallied four kills in the set and Anderson had seven assists. High registered five digs.

For the third-consecutive set, the Warriors led early in the final set. The hosts gained an early 9-3 lead in the fourth set, en route to a 25-14 victory. Major and Brogan each had two kllls for the guests in the final set. 

Wheaton closes out the Warrior Invitational on Saturday with two matches. The Thunder face Carroll University in a non-conference match at 10:00 a.m. Wheaton takes on MSOE at 2:00 p.m. in the regular season finale for the Thunder.

Wheaton will be the No. 4 four seed in the CCIW Tournament next week and host No. 5 seed Millikin in a Quarterfinal match of the tournament. The matchup between the Thunder and Big Blue will be in King Arena on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.