Tigers blank Maroons to advance to NCAA volleyball second round

KENOSHA, Wis. - DePauw hit .282 and recorded 10 service aces on the way to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25- ) win over 25th-ranked University of Chicago in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Carthage College.

The win was the Tigers' first in five appearances in the national tournament as they improved to 27-10 on the season. DePauw will face 14th-ranked Carthage after the Lady Reds topped Dominican, 3-0, in tonight's final match. Chicago finished its season at 26-14.

The opening set was a back-and-forth battle but the Tigers rallied with the final six points with Rachael Lenderman serving an ace to wrap up the win.

DePauw jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set and stayed in control in the third set by scoring 11 straight to pull away to a 14-3 lead. Chicago got no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Lauren Falotico paced a balanced attack with 10 kills, while Elisabeth Wilson and Sarah Burtensahw each had seven. Faith Rolwes assisted on 27 of the Tigers' 41 kills, while Emily Beckes posted five aces with Lenderman and Wilson totaling two apiece.

Keely McGrath and Lenderman each had 15 digs, while Wilson and Molly Rinehart each had two blocks.

Maren Loe and Morgan Barry each had 11 kills for Chicago with Ragine Graves totaling 32 assists and 15 digs. Kara Conway led with four blocks.