The Big Blue women's volleyball team advanced to the round of 32 with a sweeping victory over Cornell College, earning the right to play another day at the 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament in Holland, Mich. on Friday, November 22. In a rematch with the University of Dubuque from earlier this season, Millikin once again picked up a sweep to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
In the 3-0 victory, the Big Blue were victorious 25-23 in the first set, 25-19 in set two, then after falling behind in the third set they came from behind to win 26-24 and secure the sweep.
Kailee Itzenhuiser led the way in kills with 15 and tallied 24 digs. Addison Oyer chipped in 11. Kyra Carothers notched five service aces. Alyssa Frederking and Gracie Shaffer each chipped in 19 assists apiece.
Millikin outkilled the Spartans 62-44 in the match.
The Big Blue jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first set, but Dubuque came storming back to pull within two points, then tied the match at 16 all on a Millikin error. Kills by Sophia Gibbs and Elle Richards helped the Big Blue go on a 4-0 run and take a 20-16 advantage. Dubuque once again evened the score at 22 apiece, but kills by Addison Oyer and Itzenhuiser gave MU a two point advantage, then finished off the set win with a kill by Carothers.
In the second set, the Big Blue were out to a commanding 18-13 lead. A block by Carothers and Oyer rounded out the set and gave MU momentum heading into the third set.
In the third set, the Big Blue fell behind 14-18 after a back-and-forth beginning of the set. They chipped away to pull within two, but Dubuque's attack elongated the lead to five. A 4-0 run with kills from Richards, Carothers, Itzenhuiser and a block by Carothers and Itzenhuiser brought MU within one at 20-21. The Big Blue kept clawing away, and three straight kills by Carothers, Higgins, and Oyer sealed the deal for the Big Blue to move on to the Sweet Sixteen.
The Big Blue will meet the host, top-seeded in the region Hope College in a contest starting at 7:00 PM ET on Saturday, November 23 in Holland, Mich. for a chance to advance to the Elite Eight in Salem, Va.
