MADISON, WIS. – The Edgewood College Eagles women's volleyball team returned home to the Todd Wehr Edgedome Thursday night. They played their first of three straight home Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) matches. In a rematch of their NACC Tournament Quarterfinal match, the Eagles (10-8, 3-0 NACC) extended their winning streak to six with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-23) victory over the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks (9-8, 1-2 NACC).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A 7-3 rally by Illinois Tech gave the visitors the first substantial lead of the evening, but Edgewood College replied with a 4-1 sprint to close back within 15-14. The Scarlet Hawks grabbed momentum right back, finishing the set on a 10-4 run for a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
- Illinois Tech outhit the Eagles .371-to-.049 in the opening frame.
 
- Edgewood College soared ahead with a 9-1 burst to open set two. The Eagles would steadily build their lead as the Scarlet Hawks struggled to muster a response. The hosts would close the book on the second frame with a 7-1 barrage featuring five kills, two aces, and a block to even the match.
 
- A 10-3 stretch from Illinois Tech put Edgewood College on the back foot in the third set. Down 14-9, the Eagles turned the tables on the Scarlet Hawks with a 9-1 explosion with five kills. A later 5-1 rally left the Eagles at the doorstep of a 2-1 match lead. After Illinois Tech closed within one off the back of their strong defense, a Katie Borchert kill sealed the third set for Edgewood College.
 
- Offense and defense in sync fueled a 4-0 run and a 9-6 lead to open the fourth act of the match for the Eagles. The Scarlet Hawks bounced back with a 6-1 sprint as their offense found their groove. Down 12-10, a 6-2 answer from Edgewood College flipped the two-point lead back in their favor. Illinois Tech ground out a 21-20 edge with a 5-2 rally as their defense took over the match. The Eagles found themselves down 23-22 and undeterred, a pair of kills and a block finishing off the set and match.
   
- Edgewood College found success in the service game, holding a 9-to-6 advantage in aces.
 
- Abigail Hoffmann posted a nine-kill, 14-dig, 13-assist stat line.
 
- Abbey Falk continued to excel at the net with seven blocks. She also was one of four Eagles with two service aces.
 
- Mia Hinkamper posted 24 digs, while Jennacy Wille added in 11 of her own.
 
- Abbey Eivins tallied 28 assists and 10 digs for a double-double. Borchert swung for 11 kills with a .286 hitting percentage on 28 attempts.
 
- Cassidy Spies earned 17 kills and 10 digs.
 

 
- Anna Elena Sofia Sebastio anchored a sturdy Scarlet Hawks defense with 23 digs. Four from the visitors finished with double-digit digs.
 
- Grace Reckamp tallied 29 assists as she fueled the Illinois Tech attack.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Edgewood College paces the NACC with 2.40 blocks per set. Falk leads the NACC with 1.31 blocks per set.
 
- The Eagles' 83 digs are the most they've had as a team this season. The total is also the fifth-most any team in the NACC has had in a match this season.
 
- Edgewood College is 6-1 all-time against Illinois Tech and has won four straight.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will continue NACC action at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday. They will square off with the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors with first serve scheduled for noon. Edgewood College holds a 31-25 lead in the all-time series and has won the last two over the Warriors.