From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago volleyball team made a case for a national ranking with its final day of play at the Illinois Wesleyan University Classic Saturday, topping No. 8 Millikin University and Wisconsin-Oshkosh to complete a 4-0 weekend for the Maroons.
UChicago (11-3) defeated No. 25 Cornell and Rose-Hulman in identical 3-0 sweeps Friday, as the Maroons made a big statement on the road.
UChicago 3, #8 Millikin 1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-21)
The highest-ranked team on UChicago's schedule so far was the final opponent of the weekend – No. 8-ranked Millikin -- and the Maroons stepped up to the challenge. After faltering in Set 1, 25-13, UChicago stormed back to take three-straight over the Big Blue (11-3).
Junior Audrey Scrafford again led the offense with 13 kills and Sarah Muisenga added 11, hitting .270 and .250, respectively. Rookie Emma Griffith directed the offense to the tune of 32 assists and added nine digs, libero Anne Marie Stifter tallied 19 digs and Muisenga completed the double-double with 13 digs for the Maroons.
UChicago was strong at the net with six block assists and two solo blocks, led by Madison Pearson (nine kills) with two block assists and one solo. Serving was also solid with UChicago totaling six aces -- three by Katherine Wilson -- and just two errors.
UChicago 3, Wisconsin-Oshkosh 1 (26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 25-14)
UChicago started the morning session with several close sets, but came out on the right side each time. The Titans sawed into the deficit with a win in the third, but the Maroons raced through the fourth set easily to close it out.
UChicago captured the opening eight sets of the weekend and were once again formidable on serve and at the net. The team collected 10 blocks and eight aces while hitting .221 as a team.
Freshman setter Emma Griffith contributed in all phases. She dished out 40 assists, served three aces, posted nine digs and five block assists.
Junior outside hitter Audrey Scrafford was the top scorer with 16 kills. Sophomore middle hitter Madison Pearson put up 11 kills, one solo block and four block assists. Junior rightside hitter Sarah Muisenga recorded eight kills, 16 digs, three aces and three block assists. Sophomore libero Anne Marie Stifter led the defense with 17 digs and senior outside hitter Frances McDonald added 12 digs.