Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton Thunder volleyball hosted 10
th-ranked Millikin University on Wednesday night in King Arena. The Big Blue defeated the Thunder 3-1 (21-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-18) to improve to 19-3 on the season and 4-1 in CCIW play. The Thunder are now 9-8 on the season and 0-4 in conference action. Tonight's contest marked Wheaton's first home match since September 14th.
Caroline Capps led the Thunder in tonight's conference match against Millikin as she tallied 17 kills.
Emerson Traweek collected 10 kills for the hosts.
Ashton Major recorded seven kills, with five for
Bree Gilbert.
Lacey Higgins distributed a match high 41 assists. Libero
Grace Autry (PICTURED LEFT) recorded 16 digs, while
Sydney Overweg was part of eight total blocks. Capps and Higgins each led the Thunder with three service aces apiece.
Wheaton impressed in winning the first set 25-21. The Thunder jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but the Big Blue rallied to tie the set at 5-5. The Thunder scored the next three points to take an 8-5 lead and Wheaton never trailed for the remainder of the set. Traweek had a team-high four kills in the set, with three apiece for Capps and
Jordan Benford. Higgins had all of Wheaton's 11 assists in the set.
Millikin won the second set 25-11. Wheaton led 3-1 early, but the guests responded with eight-consecutive points as Millikin gained a 9-3 lead. The Big Blue never trailed after the key 8-0 run. Capps led the hosts with four kills in the first set, and Higgins added nine assists.
Millikin won a tightly contested third set 25-22. The set was tied eight times and there were two lead changes. Traweek recorded a kill to tie the set at 19-19. Millikin responded by winning the next three points to take a 22-19 lead and holding on for the 25-22 win. Capps and Traweek each had four kills to lead the hosts. Higgins had 12 assists in the set.
Millikin closed out the match by winning the fourth set 25-18. The Big Blue jumped out to a 5-1 lead and never trailed in winning the set. Capps had six kills in the set to lead Wheaton.
Wheaton travels to Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday for matches at the UW-Stevens Point Invitational. The Thunder face UW-Oshkosh at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to open the tournament. Wheaton takes on UW-Stout and UW-Stevens Point in action on Saturday.
