Fon du Lac, Wis. – The Wheaton Thunder volleyball team concluded the second day of action at the season-opening Marian University Invitational. Wheaton opened its action with a 3-1 victory against UW-La Crosse. The Thunder closed out the day with a 3-0 sweep of Marian, the tournament hosts.

In the 3-1 victory against UW-La Crosse, Wheaton topped the Eagles 25-21 in the first set and UW-La Crosse won the second set 25-22. Wheaton closed out the match by taking the final two sets 25-17 and 25-22.  

In the opening win against UW-La Crosse, senior Jordan Benford led the Thunder with 17 kills while Katherine Adkison added 12. Faith Bailey contributed 11 kills, with an impressive .579 attack percentage. Setter Lacey Higgins had a team-high 28 assists and Reese Donahoe added 15 assists. Benford had a team-high 17 digs, while Grace Autry added 16. Higgins contributed 13 digs for the Thunder. Adkison had three service aces and Paris Griffins added two aces.

Wheaton closed the weekend with a 3-0 sweep of the host Sabres of Marian University. The Thunder won the first set 25-14, picked up a 27-25  in the second set, and the Thunder closed out the sweep with a 25-21 win in the third set.

Katherine Adkison led all players in the Marian match as she had a match-high 12 kills. Bailey had 10 kills, with a spectacular .769 attack percentage. Paris Griffin had eight kills, while Benford had six. Higgins again led the Thunder with a team-high 22 assists. Autry had 13 digs, while Sydney Overweg added 11. Higgins, Donahoe and Adkison each led the Thunder with two service aces apiece.

The Thunder return to action next Friday and Saturday in Winona, Minnesota as they compete in the Saint Mary's University (Minn.) Sugar Loaf Classic.