From University of Chicago Athletics
The No. 21-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team honored its senior class on Tuesday night and delivered a 3-0 victory over Wheaton College.
The Maroons improved their record to 16-8 overall while the Thunder fell to 10-14. UChicago has beaten Wheaton eight out of their past nine meetings.
At the conclusion of the match, UChicago recognized its three seniors on the court – setter Ragine Graves, outside hitter Maren Loe and outside hitter Jasmine Mobley. Over their four years on the team, the Maroons have a combined record of 98-43 (.695 winning percentage) while also making three appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
UChicago 3, Wheaton 0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-18)
Wheaton came out the hotter team for much of the opening set. The visitors took a 17-14 lead, but UChicago quickly closed the gap and tied the score at 18-18. Three kills by freshman outside hitter Audrey Scrafford helped the Maroons go ahead 24-21, and Loe ended it with an emphatic kill at 25-23.
Midway through the second set, Wheaton struggled to stay in system on offense, which resulted in multiple free balls. UChicago took advantage and won seven-straight points to go up 17-9. Scrafford posted three more kills during that run. The Thunder eventually clawed back to get within 21-17, but the Maroons held steady and took the set 25-20.
Graves was key to UChicago's success as she salvaged numerous off-target passes and turned them into assists for her hitters. One particular bump save in the back right corner traveled cross court to the left stick and was put away for a kill. The home side raced out to a 13-3 lead in the third set and never looked back. Despite a 14-7 run by Wheaton, UChicago closed out the sweep 25-18 with three-straight kills by Loe.
The Maroons served effectively, racking up six aces and forcing a number of poor passes that turned into free balls. UChicago ended up hitting .209 (42 kills, 15 errors, 129 attempts) while adding six blocks and 73 digs. Scrafford was efficient all evening with 17 kills and a .405 hitting percentage. Loe tallied a match-high 23 digs and scored 11 kills. Mobley added eight kills. Graves handed out 37 assists with 11 digs and junior libero Mary Claire Tuohy recorded 13 digs.
Wheaton's hit .149 (38-18-134) on offense with two aces. The visitors posted 64 digs but did not record any blocks.
UChicago Stat Leaders
Audrey Scrafford (Fr.) – 17 kills, 5 blocks
Maren Loe (Sr.) – 11 kills, 23 digs, 3 aces
Jasmine Mobley (Sr.) – 8 kills, 5 digs
Ragine Graves (Sr.) – 37 assists, 11 digs
Mary Claire Tuohy (Jr.) – 13 digs