Foresters Split Weekend’s Midwest Conference Matches
Team falls at Beloit, defeats Grinnell

Nicole Baich

Senior Nicole Baich (Westchester, Ill./Nazareth Academy) matched her career-high with 23 kills before leaving Friday night’s match with an injury late in the fourth game. She also had three aces. Junior Ashley Cretacci (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) and freshman Mandi Mulliner (Elmhurst, Ill./York) finished with 14 kills apiece and junior Ashleigh Martinez (Chula Vista, Calif./Hilltop) had a career-high 52 assists.

Junior Lisa Sturgill (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan South) led the defensive effort with 40 of the team’s school record 140 digs. Senior Merissa Martin (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills) had 33, sophomore Regina Cyvas (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy) 22, Martinez 12, and freshman Rachael Peli (Granger, Ind./Clay) 11. Baich and Cretacci tied for team-high honors with four blocks each.

Baich earned match-high honors again on Saturday with 11 kills and Cretacci added 10. The two committed a total of just three attack errors in 36 attempts as the team posted a season-high .277 hitting percentage. Martinez finished with 31 assists.

Sturgill and Martin reached double figures in digs with 22 and 11, respectively. Mulliner led the Foresters with four blocks and Cyvas added three.

The Foresters will play a non-conference match at the University of Chicago Thursday (October 18) at 7:00 before resuming league play at home on Saturday (October 20) when they host St. Norbert College at 1:00 p.m. Saturday’s match will be available for viewing at www.midwestconference.tv.