St. Louis, Mo., October 9, 2021- The No. 23 Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team split its final two matches at the WashU Invite on Saturday.

 Saturday's contest against Greenville was the Breast Cancer Awareness Match, and the Bears were victorious over Greenville in four sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17). However, WashU fell in the final match of the day 3-0 to Illinois Wesleyan (30-28, 25-23, 25-17).

 After the conclusion of the weekend, WashU currently sits with a record of 11-7.

WashU vs. Greenville

The Bears had a great day at the net, registering 55 kills and 14 block assists with four solo blocks.

Jasmine Sells held a team-high 13 kills on 24 total attacks to lead the Bears' offensive hitting.

Alaina Bohrer had a complete performance with eight kills, 10 digs, four block assists, and a team-best two solo blocks.

Alden Standley led the Bears with 26 assists and also chipped in with 12 digs.

Taryn Gurbach led WashU with 19 digs, while Elise Gilroy added 15.

Paris Nix totaled eight kills with four block assists and a solo block, and Michaela Bach recorded eight kills.

It was a promising start in the opening set, as the Bears maintained an 11-4 advantage following consecutive service aces from Michaela Bach. The Bears remained in front at 20-15, but not before GU stormed back to even the set at 23.

WashU ended the set strong, winning the final two points off attack errors.

In the second, it was another highly competitive set. WashU had another early lead at 8-4, but the Panthers went on a 14-5 run to take an 18-13 lead later throughout the set. Down 22-20, the Bears won three consecutive points and looked to finish off the set, but GU would win the final three points and claimed the set off a block assist at the net.

WashU responded with a great effort in the third set as they took the third frame decisively. Establishing an early lead yet again, WashU increased its advantage from 12-8 out to 21-13, which had the Panthers reeling.

Back-to-back kills from Bach up front gave WashU the third set as they looked to closed the door in the fourth.

In the final set, the Bears posted a .312 hitting percentage with 13 kills, as they rolled ahead 7-0 out of the gate.

Extending their lead out to 14-5, WashU's lead never dropped from six points throughout the remainder of the set as they rolled to a 25-17 set win to clinch the match.

WashU vs. IWU

The Bears were swept for the fourth time this season, as they obtained 39 kills with a .159 hitting percentage throughout the match.

IWU registed 12 block assists and three solo blocks at the net.

Alden Standley and Elise Gilroy both led WashU with 18 digs apiece. Standley led WashU again with 27 assists in the afternoon slate.

Michaela Bach recorded 13 kills and Alaina Bohrer notched 11 kills and 11 digs. Caitlin Lorenz added seven kills in the loss.

A good start in the first had WashU ahead 11-5, but the Titans would claim the next seven points to kill the Bears' early momentum.

Trailing 14-12, the Bears bounced back and took a 17-14 lead after winning the next five consecutive points.

WashU had three set point opportunities, but were unable to finish it off, and IWU eventually won the final three points of the set to win 30-28.

In the second set, WashU led 18-14 midway through and were closing in on evening up the match. However, the Titans won eight of the following 10 points and led 22-20, as the Bears were unable to get the lead back.

Tied at 8-8 in the third, IWU won five straight points to pull ahead. The Bears cut the deficit down to one at 16-15, but Illinois Wesleyan would win nine of the last 11 points in the set to win the match.

WashU is back in action on Sunday, October 17 at noon against Case Western Reserve in Atlanta, Ga. for the UAA Round Robin #3.