BLUEJAYS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT CCIW CHAMPIONSHIP
Semifinal win over Illinois Wesleyan gives Elmhurst fourth straight crown.

Ill. Wesleyan Boxscore
Carthage Boxscore

ELMHURST, ILL., November 8, 2003-- History repeated itself for the fourth consecutive year as the Elmhurst College volleyball team clinched its fourth straight CCIW Championship by defeating Illinois Wesleyan University 3-1 in the semi-finals of the CCIW Tournament.

After two early season conference losses, it looked as though the Bluejays title quest was in jeopardy. Elmhurst responded by winning its final two CCIW games including a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Illinois Wesleyan.

The Bluejays began the CCIW Tournament on Tuesday and narrowly escaped past Carthage College 3-2. An Illinois Wesleyan University loss gave the Bluejays the chance to clinch the title in the semifinals after Elmhurst downed North Central College and Augustana College on Friday at Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Bluejays secured the league title, and an NCAA tournament appearance by downing the Titans 30-24, 30-26, 18-30,30-20. Lisa Denman (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin-Coffman) powered the Bluejays with a 15-kill, 14-dig performance. Becky Puccini (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) pounded down 11 kills and tallied seven blocks whileNicole Carlson (Forreston-H.S.) added 11 kills, 13 digs and two aces in the win. Carly Bearwald (Northbrook-Glenbrook North) added 10 kills and two aces while Katie Bequette (Staunton-H.S.) led the team in digs with 26. Regina Morrone (Orland Park-A.A. Stagg) led the team in assists with 32 while Christy Barone (Addison-Addison Trail) added 22. Johanna Anderson (Louisville, Ky.-Ballard) added four blocks in the win.

Elmhurst was defeated by Carthage College in the tournament's championship match 30-28, 29-31, 17-30, 27-30 in a game that did not efect the Bluejays championship quest. Denman registered her fifth straight double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs. Carlson added eight kills and 22 digs in the loss while Morrone led the team in assists with 23. Barone tacked on 15 assists and Bequette led the team in digs with 32.

Beawald, Carlson and Denman were all named to the CCIW Tournament's all-tournament squad for their play.

The Bluejays finished the season with nine total league points (teams are awarded a point for each regular season and tournament win) good for sole possession of first place in the CCIW.

The Bluejays (29-10) will await for the announcement of the seeding for the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament which will begin next Thursday (November 13).