2018 NCAA Division III Volleyball Bracket

U. of Chicago Regional Website

Illinois Wesleyan Postgame Press Conference

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The No. 11-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University volleyball team took a three-set win over California Lutheran in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Regional at the University of Chicago's Ratner Center on Friday, Nov. 9.

Winners of 21 straight matches, the Titans won by scores of 25-14, 25-17, 25-19 to improve to 26-5 this season. The Regals' season ends with an 18-12 mark.

Illinois Wesleyan will play No. 13-ranked Washington U. at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. The Bears improved to 26-7 on the season with a three-set victory over Cornell, 25-13, 26-24, 25-14.

In the match, IWU hit .319 with a total of 40 kills in 94 attempts with 10 errors. Senior Tyler Brown had 12 kills while senior Rachel Burkman added eight and freshman Bev Ryan had seven. Senior Heidi Dague had six kills in 10 attempts.

Freshman Amber Juarez provided 15 defensive digs while Brown and Burkman each had nine. Senior Leah Seielstad ked IWU with 18 assists while freshman Madi Corey had 15. Ryan and senior Maddie Williams each had three blocks.

The Regals hit just .119 for the match, including a -.051 mark in the first set. Amanda Roberts led Cal Lutheran with 10 kills.

QUOTES: Head coach Kim Nelson-Brown on WEXG Radio said, "We were very focused ... I think our setters did a great job of dispensing the ball and increased one-on-one opportunities for our hitters ... We served aggressively and kept their middles out of play ... They're a good team but weren't able to get any runs together against us today."

NOTES: Illinois Wesleyan has a 3-5 record in NCAA tournaments ... This is IWU's second straight and sixth all time making its second straight and sixth all-time NCAA tournament appearance with others coming in 2017, 2015, 1998, 1997, and 1991 ... In WashU's 32nd consecutive DIII Tournament appearance, the Bears have a 104-22 record. WashU tied Juniata College (104-43) for the most NCAA Tournament wins in Division III history ... WashU is 23-6 all-time against Illinois Wesleyan, including a 3-2 win (25-21, 17-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-10) over the Titans on Sept. 5 at the Shirk Center ...