Elmhurst, IL - Manchester Volleyball traveled to Elmhurst University for a doubleheader with Aurora and Lawrence. The Spartans would leave Elmhurst going 1-1 on the day with a five-set win over Aurora and a 3-0 loss to Lawrence. 

Game One: 
Manchester pulled out a hard-fought five-set victory over Aurora on Saturday in Elmhurst, Ill., improving their record to 6–4 on the year. The Spartans showed resilience throughout, rallying after dropping the second and third sets to secure the match 3–2 (26–24, 19–25, 20–25, 25–15, 15–10). The Spartans' attack was led by Avery Ball, who tallied a team-high 20 kills and added 13 digs for a double-double performance. Lily Lichtenbarger was highly efficient at the net, finishing with 13 kills on a .462 hitting percentage and contributing five block assists. Adelyn Figley chipped in 13 kills and 15 digs, while setter Morgan Howard orchestrated the offense with 49 assists and six service aces.

Manchester's defense held firm with 61 total digs, led by Howard, Figley, and libero Tiffany Watterson, who added 15 digs of her own. At the net, Lichtenbarger and Howard combined for several timely blocks that helped swing momentum in Manchester's favor late in the match. Manchester captured the opening set in extra points, 26–24, but Aurora responded by taking the next two frames. With their backs against the wall, the Spartans dominated the fourth set 25–15, riding a string of service runs and clean attacking. In the decisive fifth set, Manchester maintained their composure, using steady play from Ball and Howard to close out a 15–10 victory.
 

Game Two: 
Manchester battled hard but came up short in a 3–0 loss to Lawrence on Saturday in neutral-site action. The Spartans dropped sets by scores of 25–13, 25–11, and 26–24, moving their record to 6–5 on the season.

The Spartans struggled to find consistency in the opening two frames, hitting just .028 and .154, but showed resilience in the third set by hitting .333 as a team. Kyana Martinez and Lily Lichtenbarger provided sparks at the net, each recording efficient kills, while Avery Ball added steady attacking and serving. Freshman Mekynzi Beck and veteran Adelyn Figley chipped in offensively as well, helping Manchester push Lawrence to extra points before narrowly falling 26–24 in the final frame. Defensively, the Spartans were anchored by Tiffany Watterson, who tallied a team-high 15 digs. Figley added seven digs of her own while also contributing at the service line with two aces. At the net, Kaitlyn Smith and Martinez combined for several key blocks, with Manchester finishing the match with eight block assists.

Manchester returns to the court Monday, September 22 as they travel to Huntington to face the Foresters, 6:00 PM start.