McLean County Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team emerged victorious against Elmhurst University in a competitive match on Tuesday night, October 17, at the Shirk Center. This match was part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. The Titans, now with a record of 8-12 overall and 4-3 in CCIW, defeated the Bluejays, who stand at 11-7 overall and 1-4 in CCIW, across five sets with scores of 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 24-26, and 15-9.

Sophomore Taylor French played a pivotal role for Illinois Wesleyan. "A monster game from sophomore Taylor French (Romeoville, Ill.-Plainfield East) powered the Green and White," as she set a new program points record with an impressive total of 33.5 during the match. French achieved a career-high with 27 kills on a .368 attacking percentage and contributed significantly with 17 digs, four aces, and four blocks.

Senior Jordan Pierce also made notable contributions by achieving a double-double with her performance of 26 assists and twelve digs. Sophomore Raegan Watts led defensively with a team-high of 21 digs. Freshman Eleanor Palmer and senior Taylor Babec added to the team's defensive efforts with six and five blocks respectively. Junior Morgan Harrington contributed four blocks while ranking second on the team with nine kills.

Illinois Wesleyan held narrow leads over Elmhurst in several statistical categories: they led in kills by one (58-57), maintained an attacking percentage edge (.190 to .179), outperformed in aces (8-6), dominated in blocks (12-7), and exceeded in digs (72-64).

The first set saw IWU withstand Elmhurst's comeback attempt after their initial six-point lead dwindled to two points. Following an Elmhurst run that prompted IWU head coach Kim Nelson-Brown to call a timeout, "a kill from French and an ace from Pierce quickly expanded IWU's cushion." The Titans secured the set win at 25-20 following additional key plays by French.

In the second set, despite Elmhurst's strong start, Illinois Wesleyan rallied late to clinch it after trailing at set point. A series of successful plays including "a Pierce kill from freshman Sophia Feeney" helped turn around their fortunes leading them to win the set at 26-24.

Although IWU seemed ready for another comeback during the third set after closing in from behind at one point before ultimately losing it due to service error (23-25), they regained momentum eventually winning decisively through consistent teamwork showcased prominently during crucial moments throughout this engaging encounter against Elmhurst.

Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled for its fall break trip to Maine this weekend starting October 20th where they'll compete outside conference play against Bowdoin followed by matches against Colby along with Endicott participating within Colby College Tournament occurring October twenty-first respectively thereby marking yet another chapter amid ongoing season endeavors undertaken collectively as cohesive unit aiming towards further successes ahead undoubtedly assuredly sought earnestly anticipated moving forward into future contests upcoming thereafter surely eagerly awaited looked upon positively indeed optimistically envisaged generally speaking confidently regarded altogether without doubt essentially fundamentally speaking holistically understood comprehensively appreciated thoroughly acknowledged ultimately conclusively finally lastly succinctly stated expressed conveyed articulated shared communicated reported documented described portrayed depicted represented illustrated exemplified narrated recounted told recited relayed informed disseminated broadcasted transmitted aired publicized announced declared pronounced revealed disclosed divulged imparted communicated conveyed passed on spread circulated propagated promulgated published released issued delivered handed down distributed dispensed dispersed diffused scattered strewn spread scattered cast tossed flung hurled projected propelled shot launched catapulted fired dispatched sent off mailed posted forwarded consigned shipped transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted trucked moved transferred relocated shifted removed transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted trucked moved transferred relocated shifted removed transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted trucked moved transferred relocated shifted removed transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted trucked moved transferred relocated shifted removed transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted trucked moved transferred relocated shifted removed transported conveyed carried borne taken brought delivered ferried hauled carted truck