ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Webster University volleyball team kicked off their season this evening when they played host to the Illinois College Lady Blues for a nonconference matchup. The Gorloks were able to outlast the Lady Blues in a thrilling five set match (25-15, 22-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-12) to improve to 1-0 on the season. With the loss, Illinois College falls to 1-3 on the year.

The Gorloks finished the match with 55 kills on 190 attacks for a .116 attacking percentage. They added nine service aces, eight blocks, 51 assists, and 90 digs. They held the Lady Blue to 43 kills and a .032 attacking percentage in the match.

Webster came out in the first set of the match and jumped out to a 13-9 lead. They continued to play well as the set progressed and pushed their lead to 18-13 before closing the game on a 7-2 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

After dropping the second set 25-22, Webster came out in the third set and jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before the Lady Blues were forced to call a timeout. The Lady Blues bounced back after the timeout and went on a 13-7 run to tie the score at 13 midway through the set. Webster responded with a 7-1 run of their own and closed out the Lady Blues down the final stretch to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

After a closely contested fourth set that saw the Lady Blues force a decisive fifth game, Webster found themselves trailing 10-8 midway through the set. The Gorloks battled back and ended the game on a 7-2 run to solidify the match.

Lauren Borik, the two-time SLIAC Player of the Year, led the way for Webster as she finished with a match high 15 kills while posting three service aces and 21 digs. Ellie Biedenstein and Delaney Demman did a great job of running the attack as they finished with 23 and 21 assists, respectively. Cassie Gray led the way defensively as she finished with a team high 24 digs. In addition, Tyler Ramstack and Ellie Biedenstein both finished with 13 digs.

The Gorloks will return to the court on Sunday, September 11^th when they travel across town to take on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis (Mo.). The match is set to start at 4 p.m.