Elmhurst Defeats Webster Volleyball in NCAA First Round

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Webster University women's volleyball season came to an end as it lost, 3-0, to host Elmhurst College in the first round of the NCAA DIII Tournament.

The Blue Jays, ranked ninth nationally and second in the Central Region, are a formidable foe and even tougher on their home court. Elmhurst defeated Webster in straight sets, 25-19, 25-16, and 25-9, to advance to the Central Region semi-finals, facing University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

The Gorloks had come into the match on a nine game win streak, and had won 16 of their last 17. Jenny Howard (SO, Duchesne HS, MO) led Webster with nine kills on the evening. Liz Abraham (JR, Hermann HS, MO), in her final match for the Gorloks, led the team with 19 digs.

Sam Kersting (SO, Lindbergh HS, MO), named to the AVCA All-Central Region earlier this week, led the Gorloks with one solo block and two block assists.

The 2012 season saw the Gorloks win their 10th SLIAC Tournament Championship, their ninth SLIAC regular season title, six SLIAC All-Conference players, including the Player of the Year (Howard) and the Coach of the Year (Merry Graf).

Webster finished the season 24-10, the second highest number of wins in the program's history. The six players with the highest number of starts for the Gorloks were all sophomores, assuring the team will remain competitive for the 2013 season and beyond.

Courtesy Webster University sports information