University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point tops Elmhurst University, 3-2
Wisconsin-Stevens Point took a five-set decision over Elmhurst on October 10 at R.A. Faganel Hall in Elmhurst, Illinois, winning 3-2 by set scores of 34-32, 20-25, 22-25, 25-21, 16-14 in front of 200 fans.
Elmhurst held a kill and efficiency edge for most of the night — 68 kills to UWSP's 59, and a .256 attack percentage compared to the Pointers' .219 — but Wisconsin-Stevens Point controlled the blocking game with 8 blocks to Elmhurst's 5. The Pointers' fourth-set resurgence told the real story: they hit .321 compared to Elmhurst's .286 in that frame to force a decisive fifth, where both teams cooled considerably — UWSP at .074, ELM at .040. Aces were nearly even, with Elmhurst posting 13 to UWSP's 12.
Katie Hurta paced all players with 22 kills on a scorching .380 clip to go along with 12 digs for Elmhurst. Freddie Temple added 44 assists, 10 digs, and 7 aces to anchor the Bluejays' offense. For UWSP, Ella Trieloff recorded 16 kills and was a factor at the net with 3 blocks, while Carly Thomka chipped in 11 kills, 4 aces, and 2 blocks in a well-rounded performance.
In the fourth set, Wisconsin-Stevens Point strung together a 6-1 run from 16-17 to take a 22-17 advantage — a sequence that provided the cushion needed to force a fifth set.
The win moves Wisconsin-Stevens Point to 11-9 on the season (1-2 WIAC), while Elmhurst falls to 11-8 (1-1 CCIW).
