The Aurora University women's volleyball team took on a pair of preseason ranked teams by the AVCA including current No. 1 ranked Calvin College in the opening day of the Elmhurst College BlueJay Invitational. AU defeated host Elmhurst 3-0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-15) in the first match and then opened eyes all over the country with a commanding 3-0 win over Calvin (25-17, 25-23, 25-23).

"I am very proud of the team, we showed a lot of heart today," Head Coach James Seitelman said. "Both victories today are huge for our program and where we want to get to. We have a talented team that plays with a lot of heart and we sure showed it today."

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORES:
MATCH ONE: Aurora University 3; Elmhurst College 0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-15)
MATCH TWO: Aurora University 3; #1 Calvin College (25-17, 25-23, 25-23)
LOCATION: Elmhurst, Illinois - Elmhurst College
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-3; 1-0 NACC; #1 Calvin College 8-1; Elmhurst College 3-5

MATCH ONE vs, Elmhurst College
FOR THE SPARTANS
- Emily Lines had 38 assists and eight digs.
- Katie Vondra had 17 kills and five digs.
- Julia Wood had 13 digs and four serving aces.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set saw the Spartans and Elmhurst trade points with AU lading 6-5 early on. AU then ran off 19 of the next 23 points to win easily 25-9. AU hit .609 in the set with 15 kills and just one hitting error.
- In the second set, the teams again traded points early with Elmhurst leading 8-7. Six straight points including an ace from Emily Lines gave AU a lead they would not give back. AU went on to win 25-17.
- After the third set was tied 2-2, AU went on to lead 11-3 with a pair of serving aces from Katie Vondra. The Spartans continued to run away with the match, coasting to a 25-15 win.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Kills: Katie Vondra (17), Rachel Martens, Ava Pauly and Hannah Lanasa (7)
Assists: Emily Lines (38)
Blocks: Rachel Martens (4) and Lindsey SImpson (3)
Digs: Julia Wood and Makayla Fincher (13) and Nikki Lofshult (10)
Aces: Emily Lines and Katie Vondra (2)

MATCH TWO vs, #1 Calvin College
FOR THE SPARTANS
- Katie Vondra had 13 kills and seven digs.
- Mikayka Lanasa had 28 assists and eight digs.
- Hannah Lanasa had seven kills and three blocks.
- Head Coach James Seitelman celebrated his birthday in victorious fashion.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans out hit Calvin in the opening set .323 to -.075. An 8-0 run midway through the set proved plenty for AU to take the set 25-16. Vondra had five kills in the run.
- In the second set, early errors hitting and setting by Calvin allowed the Spartans to jump out to a 5-1 lead. AU was tested when they trailed 15-11 but battled their way back and scored four of the final five points for the 25-23 win.
- On the brink of a huge win entering the third set, AU hung strong as they fell behind early 5-1. Down 9-5, the Spartans rattled off six straight points and led 11-9. The teams then traded leads over the next 19 points. AU seemed to be on the brink of facing a fourth set as they trailed the Knights 21-18. A kill and ace from Rachel Martens around a pair of Calvin hitting errors and AU led 22-21.
- With the third set tied 22-22, AU showed composure and heart to take three of the final four points from Calvin and knock off the previously unbeaten top ranked team in the AVCA Division III poll.
 
SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Kills: Katie Vondra (13), Hannah Lanasa (7) and Ava Pauly (5)
Assists: Mikayla Lanasa (28)
Blocks: Rachel Martens (5), Samantha Weising (4) and Hannah Lanasa (3)
Digs: Julia Wood (17), Katie Vondra and Makayla Fincher (7)
Aces: Makayla Fincher (2), Rachel Martens and Julia Wood (1)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's volleyball team comes on Saturday, September 16 when they travel to Elmhurst College. AU takes on #15 Hope College at 11 am and #6 Colorado College at 1 pm in Elmhurst, Illinois.