Elmhurst University tops Transylvania University, 3-1
Elmhurst swept aside Transylvania 3-1 (29-27, 25-18, 27-29, 26-24) on Saturday, September 12 at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Ky., before an attendance of 327.
Elmhurst out-hit Transylvania across the match, connecting at a .257 clip on 58 kills compared to the Pioneers' .190 on 47. The blocking edge was equally telling — the Bluejays posted 9 blocks to Transylvania's 5, a margin that showed up at key moments in sets one and four. Elmhurst also held a 15-14 advantage in aces, reflecting a tight but consistent serving game on both sides. Set two stood out most in the attack percentage table, with Elmhurst posting .382 to Transylvania's .188, a gap that produced the most lopsided final of the four sets.
Katie Hurta led all players with 16 kills on a .281 attack percentage and added 4 block assists, while Grace Johnson and Samantha Webb each contributed 12 kills. Setter Freddie Temple orchestrated with 43 assists, 9 digs, and a kill, putting together the most complete all-around line of the day. On the Transylvania side, Payton Avilez paced the Pioneers with 12 kills at .321, and libero Julia Brown recorded a team-high 12 digs.
Down 17-21 in the third set, Elmhurst rallied to tie it at 21 on a three-ace run from Aubrey LeCleir before ultimately dropping the set 27-29 — the lone set Transylvania took.
The win moves Elmhurst to 3-4 on the season.
