Bultinck, playing in her first match in over two weeks due to an injury, led JU with 13 kills. Sophomore Debra Leganski (Elgin, Ill.) recorded 21 digs while freshman Carly Campioni (Crystal Lake, Ill.) had 32 assists. Gagnon added six kills and eight digs.

In each game, JU teetered with the lead and then IIT would come back for the win. In game one, JU took a 12-9 lead on a service ace by Bultinck. IIT then scored eight of the next nine points to take a 16-13 lead. JU could not recover as the Red Hawks won, 30-20.

Game two was a different story for the JU offense. JU had more kills, 16-14, and kept the game close with 14 ties. JU once again took an early lead, 6-3, only to see IIT tie the game at 10. It was a one-point game for most of the time until IIT went on a 9-3 run. Tied at 16, IIT scored nine of the next 12 points for a 25-19 advantage. JU then made their own run 8-2 run to tie the game at 27 on a kill by sophomore Danielle Dull (Waupan, Wisc.) After an IIT point to make it 28-27, a controversial call made it 29-27 instead of being tied at 28. What looked like a hitting error for IIT turned into a blocking error (in the net) call by the referees. JU did come back to within one, 29-28, but IIT scored on a kill to end the game.

Again, with six ties, the game was closer than the score shows. JU was up 9-6 as IIT tied the game at 10. IIT then went on an 8-2 run to make it 18-12 as JU could not recover. JU did get back within four, 26-22, on a Butlinck kill but IIT won four of the next six points to take the match win.

JU will travel to Chicago on Friday and Saturday, October 26-27, to play in the MCC/CCAC Challenge. JU will face four teams from the MCC in Mt. Mercy, Ashford, Viterbo, and Grand View. Games start on Friday at 2:00 p.m.