ELMHURST WINS OPENING MATCHES AT ELMHURST TOURNAMENT

UW-Stevens Point Boxscore
Wilmington Boxscore

ELMHURST, ILL., August 29, 2003 -- The Elmhurst College women's volleyball team got the 2003 season off to a good start by jumping out to a 2-0 record after downing the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (30-19, 26-30, 30-20, 30-17) andWilmington College (30-17, 30-22, 30-17) on day one of the Elmhurst College Invitational.

UW-Stevens Point --Elmhurst breezed through the first game before faltering in the second. The Bluejays regained momentum to zip through the third and fourth games. Sophomore Nicole Carlson (Forreston-H.S.) led the charge for the Bluejays, finishing with 13 kills, four aces and nine digs. Lisa Denman (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Coffman) pounded down 12 kills in the win while Becky Puccini (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) added eight. Regina Morrone (Orland Park-A.A. Stagg) tallied 21 assists, while Johanna Anderson (Louisville, Ky.-Ballard) recorded four solo blocks. Jessica Sutherland (Shelbyville-H.S.) led the Bluejay defense with 17 digs.

Wilmington College --The Bluejays cruised to the 3-0 win, establishing large leads in all three games. Sophomore Lindsey Mieling (Batavia-H.S.) led the charge for Elmhurst, finishing with seven kills, six blocks and three service aces. Puccini recorded a team-high nine blocks and added six kills in the win. Freshman Carly Bearwald (Northbrook-Glenbrook North) led the team in kills with eight. Morrone (Orland Park-A.A. Stagg) tallied a team-high 21 assists, while Christy Barone (Addison-Addison Trail) added 17. Katie Bequette (Staunton-H.S.) led the team in digs with 13.

Elmhurst won their competition pool and will advance to the championship pool tomorrow. The Bluejays will face a tough challenge on the tournament's second day, opening with a 12:00 p.m. match versus the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and playing a 2:00 p.m. match against the #1 ranked team in the nation, Washington University (Mo.).