BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Earlham College volleyball team took #19 Illinois Wesleyan to five sets in a thrilling season-opener on Friday evening. 

The Titans took set one 25-20, but the Quakers responded by taking set two 25-23. The score swapped once more as the hosts took set three 25-18, and Earlham won set four 25-22. In the fifth and final set, the Quakers went on a 5-1 run to trail 12-11, but fell to a 3-0 game-winning run by the Titans. 

Anniyah Harrington and Caylee Brandes led the Quaker offense on the evening with 15 and 13 kills respectively. The pair also both hit over .220 and accounted for at least one block. Ava Walters dished out a team-high 26 assists, while Sydney Bleyle contributed 14 assists on the night. In the back line, Madison Bizjak and Addison Piatt set new career-highs with 34 and 23 digs respectively. Piatt also scored nine kills, and served two aces. 

Earlham will continue action at the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament tomorrow, taking on #20 University of Chicago at 11 am, and Greenville University at 1:30 pm.