Box Score LISLE, Ill. – The showdown between the last two remaining unbeaten teams in the NACC certainly expected to be one of those classic five-set, edge-of-your-seat thrillers. However, Edgewood College never let it happen. The Eagles made quick work of Benedictine University 25-18, 25-18, 25-19 to capture sole possession of first place in the NACC and gain the inside edge to their second straight conference title.

Edgewood College (21-6, 8-0 NACC), who lost to Benedictine in last year's NACC Tournament championship match, was clinging to a 19-18 lead in the first set when they went on a run which would set the tone for the rest of the match. A service error by Benedictine University (14-11, 8-1 NACC) gave possession of the serve to Samantha Himmelspach, and did she come through. Himmelspach served off the final five points of the set for a stunning 6-0 run. Middle hitter Sarah Schuchhardt had four kills on five attacks in the first set.

The Edgewood College roll continued into the second set, and Jordan Winkler did most of the damage. Winkler hammered home six kills and delivered a service ace as the Eagles took another 25-18 victory. Benedictine also felt the sting of Edgewood College's front line defense, as the Eagles collected all four of their blocks in the second set, including a solo effort by Jessica Martin.

 The third set was nearly a complete runaway for Edgewood College, who led 23-13 after another kill by Schuchhardt. Benedictine mounted one last desperation rally and rolled off six straight points, before back-to-back kills by Schuchhardt and Martin handed Benedictine their first conference defeat of the year in the form of a 3-0 sweep.

Benedictine had no answer for Winkler, who finished with a match-high 12 kills and added 11 digs. Schuchhardt had seven kills and didn't commit an error in 14 attacks for a .500 attack percentage. The Eagles other middle, Katie Wedvick was also clean, scoring six kills without an error. Senior setter Lindsey Swansby spread the floor with a team-high 25 assists, while Martin and Himmelspach each had 18 digs to lead the team.

Edgewood College will try to sweep their weekend in Illinois with a Saturday morning match at Aurora University. The Eagles and Spartans begin at 12:00 p.m.