Kenosha, Wis. - The Wheaton volleyball team traveled to Carthage College on Wednesday night for a key CCIW matchup against the Firebirds. Carthage (17-9, 2-2 CCIW) withstood an impressive Wheaton victory in the first set as the Firebirds won the match, 3-1. Wheaton is now 19-8 overall and 2-3 in CCIW play.

Katherine Adkison led the Thunder with nine kills tonight. Sydney Overweg contributed eight kills with a .316 attack percentage, while Jordan Benford registered seven kills. Paris Griffin had six kills with a .308 hitting percentage.

Setter Lacey Higgins had 19 assists, while Reese Donahoe added 10 assists. Libero Grace Autry led all players with 25 digs and Higgins added 11. Overweg had five total blocks, including one solo. Ashton Major had a match-high four service aces.

Wheaton won the first set 25-15. The set was tied six times with two lead changes. The set was tied 6-6 when Wheaton tallied back-to-back points to take an 8-6 lead and never trailed after that. Wheaton led 12-11 when the Thunder put together a 7-2 run to go up 19-13 as Wheaton closed out the set for the 25-15 win. Overweg had a set-high five kills on five attempts as she posted a 1.000 hitting percentage. Higgins had seven assists and Autry added eight digs.

Carthage won the second set 25-20. Adkison had four kills in the set and Benford added three. Higgins had six assists, with five digs for Autry.

The Firebirds won the third set 25-19. Overweg had two kills, with three assists for Higgins. Autry had six digs in the set and Major had three of her four services in the third set.

Carthage closed out the match by winning the fourth set 25-14. Mary Patrick and Mary Hamann each had two kills in the set. Autry had six digs in the final set.

Wheaton returns to Wisconsin on Friday night for match at Carroll University. The match with the Pioneers begins at 7:00 p.m.