BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan volleyball team won the first two sets before dropping the next two and ultimately defeating No. 13-ranked University of Chicago in five sets (25-18, 30-28, 23-25, 18-25, 15-8) at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
 
The Titans improve to 6-2 and remain perfect at home with a 4-0 record while the visiting Maroons fell for the first time all season and are now 8-1.

"Tonight was a true reflection of a team effort," praised IWU head coach Kim Nelson-Brown. "Multiple players stepped up at various times.  Mary Rankin and Tyler Brown played some relentless defense for us tonight too.  When our backs were against the wall going in the fifth set, the atmosphere at Shirk today due to our fans made the difference."
 
IWU hit .229 for the match and was led by freshman Rachel Burkman with 16 kills and three blocks while sophomore Kyleigh Block had 14 kills and 16 digs. Freshman Tyler Brown had 15 kills and 24 digs for the Titans and senior Mary Rankin led the team with 28 digs. Colleen Rynne (34) and Leah Seielstad (25) each had double-digit assists for Illinois Wesleyan.
 
What's Next?
IWU plays Aurora University in the first of four games this weekend for the Titans in the eight-team Barker Chevrolet Classic II on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Shirk Center. First serve against the Spartans is at 3:30 p.m.