Elmhurst University tops Benedictine University, 3-0
Elmhurst swept Benedictine (IL) 25-21, 25-23, 25-21 on Saturday, September 25 at R.A. Faganel Hall in Elmhurst, Ill., improving to 8-5 on the season while handing the Eagles their twelfth loss of the year.
The story of the match was Elmhurst's attack efficiency. The Bluejays hit .378 as a team compared to Benedictine's .080, posting kill totals of 13, 15, and 17 across the three sets while their efficiency climbed from .318 to .412. Benedictine held a slight edge in aces (6-4) but could not overcome a 45-27 kills deficit. Digs were relatively even at 35-30, and blocks finished level at 4 apiece.
Katie Hurta led all players with 14 kills on a .370 clip and added 1.5 blocks for Elmhurst, while Paige Belfield and Samantha Webb each contributed 9 kills. Freddie Temple ran the offense with 31 assists and 4 digs. For Benedictine, Lizzy Williams paced the Eagles with 8 kills and 2 aces, and Keira Clark added 7 kills.
Elmhurst closed the third set on a decisive run, with Grace Breeze delivering back-to-back service aces before Belfield terminated the match at 25-21.
The win moves Elmhurst to 8-5 on the season.
