Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder volleyball team returned to intercollegiate competition on Wednesday night with a season-opening CCIW match against Elmhurst in King Arena. Tonight's match was the first contest for the Thunder since November 5, 2019. Elmhurst defeated the Thunder tonight, 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-15, 25-12).

Naomi Bunker and Colleen Smith each had 11 kills to lead the Thunder attack tonight. Bunker recorded her 11 kills on 20 attempts with a .400 hitting percentage. Setter Marlee Anderson (PICTURED LEFT) led Wheaton with 33 assists and Allie High posted a team-best 22 digs. Audrey Gerze added 11 digs and High led the Thunder with two service aces.

Elmhurst won the first set 25-19. The set was tied at 7-7 when the Bluejays scored four-consecutive points to take an 11-7 lead. The Bluejays stretched out their lead to 19-10 en route to the 25-19 victory. Smith and Emma Sweatman each had four kills in the set. High added five digs in the set.

Wheaton earned a 26-24 victory in the second set. The Bluejays led 8-6 when Wheaton scored six-consecutive points to take a 12-8 lead. Elmhurst battled back to tie the set at 17-17 and the two teams traded the lead back-and-forth. The set was tied at 24-24 when an ace by High gave the Thunder a 25-24 lead. Wheaton won the set at 26-24 on a kill by Sweatman to tie the match score at 1-1. Gerze led the Thunder with six kills in the set, and High had eight assists.

Elmhurst jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the third set and never trailed on its way to a 25-15 victory in the set. The Bluejays again jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set with a 10-4 advantage as the guests earned the 25-12 victory. Smith (PICTURED RIGHT) and Bunker each had three kills in the set. High tallied six digs in the set and Lauren Hess added five.   

Wheaton (0-1) returns to action next Wednesday when Illinois Wesleyan visits King Arena at 7:00 p.m.