AURORA, Ill. - Offensive woes plagued the Illinois Wesleyan women's volleyball team as it dropped a five-set non-conference affair to Aurora University (20-25, 25-15, 25-22, 17-25, 15-10), Friday night, Sept. 17. With the setback, IWU's overall record fell to 6-6, while the Spartans boosted their record to 4-4.

Illinois Wesleyan took the opening set 25-20, but Aurora stormed back to take sets two and three by scores of 25-15 and 25-22, respectively. The Titans extended the match with a gutsy 25-17 win in the fourth to force a decisive fifth set. The Spartans used a hot start to jump out to a 9-3 lead in the fifth. IWU clawed its way back, but ultimately came up short, 15-10, to give AU the five-set win.

Although the Titans were defeated, the team captured a slight edge in kills (50-47), aces (13-10), assists (47-43), and digs (72-71). 

The Green and White struggled to find its stride offensively, as IWU finished with a season-low hitting percentage. Junior Evy Makris (Orland Park, Ill. - Sandburg) led the team with 12 kills. Senior Courtney McAuliffe (Lemont, Ill. - Lemont) tabbed eight kills while sophomore Maddie Dryfhout (Orland Park, Ill. - Chicago Christain) added seven kills. 

Junior Grace Sanders (Bloomington, Ill - Bloomington) notched a team-high 21 digs. Seniors Amber Juarez (Bloomington, Ill. - Normal U High) and Jessica McCall (Wayne, Ill. - Wheaton St. Francis) added 13 and 12 digs, respectively.

Freshman Ava Porada (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) accumulated 18 assists to go along with a career-high five aces. Senior Madi Corey (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) led the way with a team-high 22 assists. 

For the Spartans, Sydnei Avery led both teams with her impressive 19 kills. Kaitlyn Beebe had an equally impressive showing with her 37 assists. Both players each added three blocks.

The Green and White will return home to the Shirk Center to take on College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opponent Wheaton College Wednesday, Sept. 22. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.