ELMHURST, Ill.--No. 11 Eastern University Volleyball split day one of the Elmhurst Invitational, defeating Wheaton University (Ill.) in four sets before falling in three sets in a grudge match against No. 2 Emory University.

Eastern's season ended last year against Emory in the NCAA national quarterfinal round. The Emory Eagles again bested the Eastern Eagles in three sets Friday, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20.

Eastern started the afternoon by topping Wheaton 25-18, 25-16, 19-25, 25-14. Lauren Sproles tallied a team-high 12 kills and four players had at least eight kills: Stephanie Elechko (8), Alicia Weigel (8), Erin Hillman (9) and Katrina Pisch (8). Pisch hit .500 for the match and a block solo and three block assists. The Eagles hit .281 for the match and kept the Wheaton Thunder at .159.

Libero Rylie Haas gathered 21 digs and setter Rikki Schlager distributed 44 assists.  

In the second match, Eastern and Emory were tied at 11-11 in the first two games, but Emory pulled away both times. The third game belonged to Emory from 5-4 on.

Hillman and Pisch each recorded seven kills in the loss. Schlager had 26 assists, and Haas had 17 digs.

The loss is just the second of the season for the Eagles (13-2). They face their toughest day of the 2014 season on Saturday when they challenge nationally-ranked Washington-St. Louis and Elmhurst.

Box Score vs. Wheaton

Box Score vs. Emory