ALBION, Mich. – Stephanie Thurner kept bringing Albion College to match point in the fourth set Saturday and Erin Romph finally terminated the final point as the Britons earned their first victory of the season over a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival with a 25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 28-26 decision over Olivet College.

The Britons completed a winning day by sweeping Earlham (Ind.) College 25-15, 25-18, 25-16 in a non-league contest.

"The team has been fighting so hard the last three weeks," Albion Coach Kristin Slamer de St. Aubin said. "It has been a tough travel schedule and playing all the time. We've been talking about doing the little things right and getting production from our young kids. They stepped it up and got the job done today.

"I have to give credit to the entire team for getting work done," de St. Aubin added.

Thurner brought Albion to match point three times in the fourth set. She cracked a career-high 20 kills in the contest. She hit .486 with just three errors in 35 attacks.

"We've been looking for a go-to person and Stephanie stepped up today," de St. Aubin said. "The things we've asked Stephanie to do in the last two weeks – playing middle, playing right side – and the way she produced was phenomenal."

Thurner received support from Lauren Outwater. Outwater produced 12 kills against Olivet and seven against Earlham.

Albion got its share of easy points as it served up 11 aces in each match. Setter Ami Milligan and Thurner produced six aces apiece Saturday, while Kristen Beyer had three against Olivet and Erin Romph had three against Earlham.

"We have been focusing on generating momentum from our serve," de St. Aubin said. "We believe we are a good passing team, and we can have a lot of success when we get the opponent out of system."

Albion continues its league schedule with a Sept. 30 trip to Trine University.