Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder volleyball team hosted No. 10 ranked Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday evening in the CCIW opener for both teams. The Titans defeated the Thunder 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-18) in King Arena tonight. Wheaton is now 10-4 overall and 0-1 in CCIW play, while the Titans remain undefeated with an 8-0 overall record and a 1-0 mark in CCIW action.

Thunder senior junior Benford led Wheaton with team-highs of six kills and 11 digs. Katherin Adkison recorded five kills, while Paris Griffin tallied four kills. Lacey Higgins had 11 assists, and Grace Autry contributed nine digs.

The Titans won the first set 25-14. The opening set was tied 2-2 when the guests put together a 6-1 run to take an 8-3 lead on the Thunder. IWU never trailed in the remainder of the set. Benford had two kills and Higgins had three assists and four digs.

The guests took the second set 25-19. The set was tied at 2-2 when IWU had a 12-2 run that put the guests up 14-4 and the Titans remained in control to win the set. Adkison had a team-high four kills in the set, while Benford, Mary Patrick and Ashton Major each contributed two kills. Higgins had four assists and Autry had four digs.

Illinois Wesleyan won the third set 25-16. The Titans held a narrow 7-6 lead in the set when the guests utilized a 10-2 run to take a 17-8 lead and they pulled away for the victory of the set and the match. Benford, Griffin and Sydney Overweg each had two kills. Higgins had four assists in the final set, while Benford had seven digs.

Wheaton returns to action on Friday and Saturday with three matches at the Franklin College Invitational. The Thunder return home next Tuesday to host Augustana in a CCIW match against the Vikings.