CHICAGO - The No. 21 ranked University of Chicago women's volleyball team returned to the Ratner Athletics Center with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Illinois Wesleyan, clinching each set by scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-10.

The Maroons showcased a strong defensive foundation from the outset. Though the Titans held a 43-38 lead over the Maroons in digs the presence at the net was too much to overcome. With a total of 12 team blocks, they controlled the net, anchored by junior middle blocker Diya Mishra, who recorded five blocks. Head Coach Mitchell McPartland praised the defensive effort, saying, "Blocking was really great today. It was an area we really focused on at practice, so it was good to see us find success there."

The match was closely contested through the first two sets, but UChicago's consistent play made the difference. Graduate student Amelia Gibbs excelled in the middle, delivering seven kills, while Diya Mishra and Thalita Marangon added five kills each, with hitting percentages of .333 and .263, respectively. Grace Xu led the Maroons with 13 assists, while Hilary Cheung contributed seven.

UChicago's defense kept the Titans on their heels, forcing 28 hitting errors and holding them to a .000 hitting percentage. Coach McPartland noted, "We weren't great offensively, but our serving, blocking, and overall defense really frustrated them, allowing us to score points and put them in uncomfortable situations." The Maroons totaled 10 service aces, with Klaudia Barbarossa leading with three.

The Maroons, now 21-9, turn their attention to their final regular season match against Lake Forest College, where they'll celebrate their seniors. They'll then head into the UAA Championship, set for November 15-16.

For up-to-the-minute University of Chicago Maroons news, visit www.athletics.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Twitter @uchicagoath and @uchicagoathletics on Instagram
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