CHICAGO, ILL. - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology improved to 7-3 on the volleyball season with victories over Illinois College and D'Youville on Friday.

The Engineers topped Illinois College 27-30, 30-23, 30-24, 30-18 to open day one action.  In the nightcap, Rose-Hulman defeated D'Youville 30-19, 30-27, 30-17.

Sophomore Kate Sernett (Crystal Lake, Ill.). junior Sarah Messmer (Cincinnati, Ohio) and senior Amanda Fellows (Beavercreek, Ohio) led a balanced attack with 12 kills against Illinois College. 

Senior Katie Tharp (Linton) added nine kills, while junior Brandi Sturgill (Zionville, N.C.) had a team-high 40 assists.

Messmer contributed seven service aces, while  freshman Samantha Gregory (Huntsville, Ala.) had five aces.  Fellows and Sernett led the defensive effort with 15 and 14 digs, respectively.

Against D'Youville, Fellows again led the attack with 12 kills on a .407 hitting percentage that featured just one error.  Messmer also reached double figures with 10 kills.

Sturgill led the passing attack with 37 assists, with Fellows tallying team-highs of 13 digs and five service aces.  Sernett pitched in with nine digs, and freshman Amanda Jevons (Henderson, Nev./Rancho) contributed a team-high five blocks.

Rose-Hulman improved to 7-3 overall and returns to action with three matches on Saturday at the North Park Invitational.