NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team wrapped up competition in the Captains Classic Saturday, Sept. 4. The Titans dropped the first match of the day in four sets to Clarkson University, before rebounding to defeat Christopher Newport University.  IWU's current record now sits at 4-1 on the season. As a result of thier outstanding performances, seniors Jessica McCall (Wayne, Ill. - Wheaton St. Francis) and Courtney McAulfiffe (Lemont, Ill. - Lemont) were named to the Captains Classic All-Tournamanet team. 

IWU was defeated by Clarkson in four sets (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 25-16). Illinois Wesleyan bounced back with a sweep of tournament host Christopher Newport (25-18, 25-17, 25-21) in the second leg of the doubleheader. 

As a unit, the offense accumulated a total of 52 kills against Clarkson. Junior Evy Makris (Orland Park, Ill. - Sandburg) paced the offense, notching 11 kills, McAuliffe had 10 kills of her own, while junior Grace Sanders (Bloomington, Ill - Bloomington) recorded 9 kills. The Titans totaled nine blocks for the match, compared to Clarkson's six. 

On the defensive side, Sanders recorded a team-high 20 digs. Seniors Amber Juarez (Bloomington, Ill. - Normal U High) and McCall tabulated 10 and 7 digs, respectively. Clarkson University outpaced IWU 67-62 in the dig department. 

In IWU's clash with CNU, the Titans began the match on a 7-0 run and did not look back. McCall (10 kills), McAuliffe (six kills), and freshman Morgan Harrington (six kills) (Plainfield, Ill. - Plainfield East) powered IWU's offensive attack to the tune of a 32-26 kill advantage.

Juarez led the defensive ambush with 11 digs, while McCall and Sanders produced eight and six digs, respectively. In all, the Green and White held a 34-31 dig edge over Christopher Newport. Illinois Wesleyan tripled CNU's block total for the match, using six total blocks to their advantage.

The Green and White return to action at home inside the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. to face No. 9 University of Chicago.