ELMHURST, Ill. -- Elmhurst advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season after defeating 11th-ranked Washington (Mo.) in consecutive sets.
Elmhurst, ranked fifth in the latest AVCA poll, punched its ticket to the regional championship match with 28-26, 25-18, 25-18 victory.
Elmhurst hit .347 for the match, pounding down 42 kills while committing just seven errors in 101 attempts. Washington hit .211 for the match, totaling 44 kills and 18 errors in 123 attacks.
Marci Novak powered the Bluejays' attack, finishing with 16 kills and 15 digs while hitting a match-high .517 (16-1-29). Sam Szarmach also reached double figures in kills, totaling 10 to go along with nine digs and a .450 hitting percentage (10-1-20). Kaitlyn Wilks added six kills and a match-high four blocks while Jackie Pavilonis added four kills for the Bluejays.
