ELMHURST, Ill. – The Carthage College women's volleyball team (29-7, 5-2 CCIW), ranked No. 13 in the Nov. 3^rd AVCA Top 25 Poll, traveled to R.A. Faganel Hall to take on the No. 17 Elmhurst College Bluejays (23-10, 4-3 CCIW) in the final match of the regular season. This match would help to determine seeding for the CCIW Volleyball Tournament, which both teams have clinched a spot in.
 
Jaime Dickinson opened up the match with a kill for the Lady Reds on a ball from Karen Chin. A point-for-point battle ensued and both teams found themselves tied at 5-5. The Lady Reds took control of the game from this point and went on a four-point run to take the lead 9-5. Carthage would continue to hold their lead and won the first set 25-15, taking the lead 1-0.
 
Elmhurst showed their tenacity immediately in the second set and took the early lead, 5-0. The Lady Reds would not be able to return from this deficit as Elmhurst would win the second set 25-15, tying the match 1-1.  
 
The Lady Reds would respond with a seven-point run to start the third set and take the lead 7-0. Although Elmhurst had a few runs, they would not be able to come close to the Lady Red's lead. Carthage would dominate the set and go on to win 25-20, taking the lead 2-1.
 
Carthage earned the first two points of the fourth set due to two attack errors by Elmhurst. Elmhurst would respond with two points of their own to tie the score 2-2. After a few points back and forth and the score tied at 5-5, Carthage went on a four-point run to take the lead 9-5. The Lady Reds would keep this lead until an attack error would give Elmhurst the opportunity to the the game 11-11.
 
Elmhurst took the upper hand 17-15, but Carthage wasn't willing to let this set get away just yet. A kill by Emily Heuermann would set the Lady Reds up for a four-point run and give them the 19-17 lead. The Lady Reds would hold onto their lead for the remainder of the set and win 25-20, securing their 3-1 win over the Bluejays (25-15, 14-25, 25-20, 25-20).
 
With the win over Millikin, the Lady Reds became Co-CCIW Champions for the regular season along with Illinois Wesleyan and Millikin. This is the second year in a row that the Lady Reds have captured a share of the conference title.
 
As a team, the Lady Reds recorded 41 kills, nine aces, eight blocks, 39 assists, 56 digs and hit .158. Emily Heuermann led the way for the Lady Reds with 14 kills. Jaime Dickinson and Luci Krenzke would each earn three service aces and Heuermann would earn two. Dickinson also led the Lady Reds in blocks with five, accompanied by Rachel Mickey and Bria Hailey with three apiece, respectively. Karen Chin completed 31 assists in the four set match over the Bluejays. Krenzke led the team in digs with 14, along with Chin's 12 and Heuermann's 12.
 
With the win tonight Carthage earned the No. 3 seed in the 2015 CCIW Volleyball Tournament which will be hosted by Millikin University in Decatur, Ill on Nov. 6-7. The Lady Reds will face the No. 2 seed Illinois Wesleyan Titans in a 4:30 p.m. match on Friday, Nov. 6. No. 4 Elmhurst will take on No. 1 seed Millikin in a 7 p.m. match on the same day. The winners of each matchup will compete on Saturday, Nov. 7^th at 2 p.m. More information on the tournament is available on the CCIW's website or by clicking here.