GRINNELL, Iowa – Facing Illinois College in a major Midwest Conference contest Saturday afternoon, the Grinnell College volleyball team stepped up in a big way.
 
After losing the first set 25-21, the Pioneers rattled off wins over 25-15, 25-22 and 25-21 for a 3-1 victory over the Lady Blues at Darby Gymnasium. The win is the Pioneers' seventh in the last nine outings.
 
Grinnell's 11-9 mark is the best start to a season for the team since the 2002 campaign, and the 3-2 Midwest Conference record is the best league start since 2011.
 
Additionally, the victory was a key one as it kept the Pioneers in contention for the league's postseason tournament. Illinois College fell to 3-4 in the league and 13-10 overall with the loss.
 
Olivia Fromm '17 had a big day at the net for Grinnell, coming up with 17 kills and just two errors while hitting .375. Emily Friedman '19 and Ariel Lepito '17 added 10 kills apiece, while Margaret Giles '18 dished out 26 assists and served three aces.
 
Sydney Vrecenar '18 topped the digs column with 23. Fromm added 17 digs, Friedman had 13 and Giles 12.
 
Emma Willhardt '19 had three solo blocks.
 
The first set was close the whole way before Illinois College scored five of the final seven points to win.
 
The second set saw an 11-all tie before Grinnell went on a big four-point run with the aid of Giles' serve. After Illinois College came within 15-12, Grinnell reeled off eight of the next nine points en route to victory. Vrecenar served four of those points.
 
The Pioneers broke out to a 19-9 lead in the third set before the Lady Blues made things interesting by closing within 23-21. However, Friedman and Fromm each had kills after that to help Grinnell secure the win.
 
Set four saw a battle the whole way with 10 ties. Grinnell was up just 21-20 before scoring two points, one on Giles' kill. After the Lady Blues scored to make it 23-21, the Pioneers got two kills to finish off the win.
 
Grinnell entertains Lawrence University Friday night at Darby Gymnasium. Match time is at 7 p.m.