Wheaton, Ill. -- After their perfect start to the 2021 Marilyn Scribner Invitational, the Wheaton volleyball team closed out this weekend's competition by facing Albion and Benedictine in back-to-back matches on Saturday. Both contests ended in defeat for the Thunder, but the story of each match was very different.

In their first clash of the day, Wheaton hosted the Britons of Albion College, looking to build off of their 2-0 start to the tournament. But Albion had other ideas, as the visitors walked away with a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the Thunder. The guests from Michigan flew out of the gates, blowing Wheaton away in the first set, 25-9. This proved to be a difficult early hole for the Thunder to climb out of, although the second set was decidedly more competitive. Despite Albion cruising once again halfway through the set, the Britons had to withstand a late rally from Wheaton to close it out at 25-20. Wheaton were then placed in an identical situation to the one they found themselves in less than 24 hours earlier, when they fell behind to Wisconsin Lutheran by two sets. Their remarkable comeback in that contest had the Thunder faithful inside King Arena wondering if the team could do it once again. But Albion ensured that no such comeback would materialize, as they wrapped up the victory with a professional 25-14 third set win.

Statistical leaders for this match included Kaylynne Nicholson of Albion, who led both teams with 11 kills. Chloe Webber notched an incredible eight aces for the Britons across the three sets. Additionally, Mariah Brenz had the most assists for either team with 13 to her name. Caroline Capps and Colleen Smith led the way for Wheaton in terms of hitting, both notching five kills in the match. The assists category also showed two chart-toppers for Wheaton, with Marlee Anderson and Mia Staub registering eight each. Allie High led the Thunder with seven digs in the match.

In their second matchup of the day, and final one of the invitational, Wheaton played host to the Benedictine Eagles, a team they had already met once this season. On that day, Benedictine rallied from behind to earn a comfortable 3-1 win over Wheaton. Saturday's match would also end in victory for the Eagles, but they had to work significantly harder to achieve it. Just as they did in the first clash between these two teams, Wheaton took the first set, this time by a score of 25-22. A much-needed morale boost after their first match, the first-set looked like it might spark Wheaton's fortunes going forward, but Benedictine responded impressively to level things up at one set apiece, winning the second by the same score as the first. With how finely things were balanced, the third set had a critical feel to it, and Benedictine's eventual 25-21 victory placed the momentum of the match firmly in the visitors' hands. It was up to Wheaton to generate a response of their own, and this is exactly what transpired, as the Thunder bounced back to take the fourth set, 25-22. This meant that a Wheaton volleyball match would go the distance for the second time in as many days, and the cheering sections for both teams were glued to the edges of their seats. The fifth set did not disappoint as it proved to be the most back-and-forth portion of the match. Benedictine were the first to reach match point at 14-13, but the Thunder staved off defeat to tie the set at 14. The two teams then went back and forth over the next few sequences of play, exchanging match points, until the Eagles ended proceedings with a 17-15 win in the final set of the tournament. 

The statistical standouts for the eighth match of the weekend were Brooke Huizenga of Benedictine who claimed a match-high 16 kills. Two Eagles, Jamie Janczak and Alyssa Mojica, registered 24 assists on the day, both putting in impressive performances from the setting position. For Wheaton, Audrey Gerze had a team-high 13 kills, while Marlee Anderson led all players with 26 assists. Allie High posted an impressive 28 digs over the course of five sets, a match-high figure.

Upon the conclusion of the invitational, seven different players were named to the all-tournament team, with each head coach voting for their own athletes, as well as those from opposing teams. The honorees were as follows: 

Colleen Smith -- Wheaton 

Ally Goba -- Wisconsin Lutheran

Cathleen Flannery -- Carroll 

Audrey Gerze -- Wheaton 

Jenna Charron -- Wisconsin Lutheran

Kaylynne Nicholson -- Albion

Chloe Webber -- Albion

Smith, a senior outside hitter for the Thunder, earned Tournament MVP by receiving the most votes of any player at this weekend's competition.

Next up for Wheaton volleyball is a trip to Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday, September 22nd, before returning to King Arena a week later for a nonconference matchup with Lake Forest.