GAME STATS 1 | GAME STATS 2 Pella, Iowa -- The Wheaton volleyball team's 2022 season came to an end this afternoon, as the Thunder faced off against Nebraska Wesleyan University and Central College in the second day of Central's Sutphen Invitational. Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Wheaton in three sets in the 11 AM contest before the Thunder fell 3-2 to Central in a five-set nail-biter in their final match. The squad ends the season with an overall record of 11-17 and a 2-6 mark in conference play.

Nebraska Wesleyan topped the Thunder, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 in the day's first matchup as Wheaton grew stronger throughout the affair but could not manage to avoid the three-set sweep. Emerson Traweek led the team with 12 kills in the match, while Abby Lawson tallied nine. Allie High and Jordan Benford each earned two service aces, and Benford joined Traweek and Faith Bailey on two blocks. Lacey Higgins and Davis Whitehead registered 15 and 14 assists, respectively. High posted a team-high 16 digs. The Prairie Wolves generated more kills than the Thunder, but they also committed more errors and the two teams' hitting percentages were almost identical despite the quick victory for NWU.

In the afternoon contest that served as Wheaton's final matchup of the regular season, the Thunder were eventually edged by the Central Dutch after going the distance with five sets. The home side fought off a two-one set deficit to claim the win, 20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 in their Senior Day event. Wheaton posted a .149 attack percentage which was not far behind Central's .161 mark. The hosts earned 58 kills to Wheaton's 53, while the visitors committed one fewer error than the Dutch. 

Emerson Traweek again led the Thunder in kills with 13, and Benford and Capps were just behind with 12 and 11, respectively. Naomi Bunker earned a team-best six blocks in her final appearance in a Wheaton uniform. Fellow senior Allie High tallied an impressive 33 digs to lead Wheaton's defensive effort, while Katie Stotts chipped in 21 digs and two service aces. Whitehead also picked up two aces and earned 21 assists. Lacey Higgins led the Thunder with 25 assists across the five sets.

Wheaton will now head into the offseason with plenty of youth on their roster and reason for optimism in 2023.