Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton volleyball team hosted Carthage (12-4, 2-1 CCIW) on Wednesday night for a CCIW match in King Arena. The Firebirds defeated the Thunder 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21) in the league meeting.

Caroline Capps led the Thunder with nine kills in the matchup against Carthage. Emerson Traweek tallied seven kills, making nine digs. Jordan Benford recorded six kills on 12 attempts, posting a .417 attack percentage. Allie High led the Thunder with 10 digs. Davis Whitehead distributed 12 assists and Lacey Higgins had 11 for the hosts.

Carthage won the first set 25-13 with a strong performance by the Firebirds as the guests recorded nine service aces in the set. Benford led Wheaton with three kills in the set and Capps had a team-high three digs.

The Firebirds won the tightly contested second set 25-20. The set was tied 15-15 when Capps recorded a kill that gave the hosts a 16-15 lead. The squads battled back-and-forth for an 18-18 tie. Carthage scored the next four points to take a 22-18 lead to help lead the guests to the victory. Traweek had five kills in the set and Capps added three. Traweek and High each recorded five digs for the hosts.

Carthage closed out the match by winning the third set 25-21. The Firebirds never trailed in the set as the hosts turned a 6-1 run from a 9-9 tie into a 15-10 lead and never looked back in earning the win. Capps recorded four kills, with three digs apiece for Benford and High. 

Wheaton is now 8-7 overall and is 1-3 in CCIW play. The Thunder will host No. 15 ranked Hope College on Saturday in a non-conference match at 1:00 p.m. Read Full Article