The Aurora University women's volleyball team opened up Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play with their home opener against Illinois Insitute of Technology on Wednesday night. The Spartans were victorious in three sets, winning 25-17, 25-15, 25-21.


MATCH SCORE: Aurora University 3, Illinois Institute of Technology 0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-21)
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORD: Aurora University 9-5 overall and 1-0 NACC


- AU stormed out to an early large lead at 10-2 in the opening set.
- Katelyn Ruse led all attackers with five kills as AU won easily 25-17.
- The Spartans again struck quick and grabbed a sizable early lead in set two.
- AU held around an eight point lead throughout before winning by 10, 25-15.
- Ruse added five more kills with Sophie Knazur having four including a huge final point kill.
- The Spartans led early in the third set before some unforced errors allowed IIT to take a lead.
- Trailing by three at 20-17, Ruse started the AU rally with a kill.
- The point ignited the Spartans and the crowd to an 8-1 run to end the set and match.
- Ruse, Alissa Hulst and Izabella Kowalczyk all had four kills in the final set win while Trinity Nelson had14 assists and ended the set with a kill.


KILLS: Katelyn Ruse (14), Alissa Hulst and Izabella Kowalczyk (8)
ASSISTS: Trinity Nelson (35)
DIGS: Katie Brisk (18), Izabella Kowalczyk (11) and Carolyn Lippe (10)
ACES: Katelyn Ruse (4)
BLOCKS: Sophie Knazur and Alissa Hulst (2)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan women's volleyball team comes on Saturday, September 27 when they travel to Augustana College for a tri-match. AU takes on Augustana at 11:00 a.m. and Luther College at 1:00 p.m. in Rock Island, Illinois.