Ada, Ohio – The Wheaton volleyball team (9-5, 0-2 CCIW) resumed its participation in the ONU Invitational on Saturday on the campus of Ohio Northern University. Hanover College defeated the Thunder 3-2 (21-15, 18-25, 27-25, 25-23, 21-19) in a hard-fought contest to open action today. The Thunder closed the tournament against Bluffton University. Wheaton defeated the Beavers, 3-0 (27-25, 25-9, 25-11) to conclude the three-match weekend.

In the 3-2 loss against Hanover, senior Caroline Capps led Wheaton with 15 kills, adding two total blocks and nine digs. Freshman Katherine Adkison tallied 14 kills, with eight digs. Emerson Traweek tallied 12 kills, with two total blocks. Jordan Benford recorded nine kills against the Panthers, Ashton Major had eight and Sydney Overweg added seven kills. Major had a team-high five total blocks and Overweg added three. Setter Lacey Higgins distributed 37 assists for the Thunder. Libero Grace Autry had a match-high 32 digs for Wheaton.  

Capps had a match-high 11 kills against Bluffton, posting a .400 hitting percentage. Major tallied nine kills with a .412 hitting percentage in the 3-0 win against the Beavers, adding five service aces. Higgins had 19 assists, with three service aces. Adkison led Wheaton with 14 digs, and Overweg had an impressive six total blocks.

Wheaton had a pair of players selected to the ONU Invitational All-Tournament Team. Major and Capps each represented the Thunder on the All-Tournament Team. 

Wheaton returns to CCIW play on Wednesday as the Thunder travel to North Central for a road contest against the Cardinals in Naperville. The contest between the Thunder and Cardinals is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.