Box Score 

MACOMB, Ill. - Monique Houston led Western Illinois with 16 kills, as the Westerwinds knocked-off Oral Roberts in five games (30-27, 18-30, 30-24, 30-19, 15-7), Friday, spoiling the Golden Eagles' perfect conference season.

The match took place in Western's second home of Brophy Hall, the same building that Western Illinois defeated Oral Roberts in two seasons ago. The Westerwinds (13-14, 8-3 Mid-Con) have now bested the conference powerhouse in each of the last three seasons, and are 8-1 in Macomb this year.

Western Illinois' Sarah Trimpe aced the Golden Eagles' (23-8, 10-1 Mid-Con) to open up game five, and the Westerwinds never relinquished the lead. Consecutive kills by Amy Sauerwien opened up a 4-1 margin, and aces by Ashley Baker for the eighth and 10th points of the match helped Western to a 10-4 advantage. A kill by Michelle Donnelly, who had subbed into the match late in the game, sealed a 15-7 victory for Western.

For Western, the beginning of the match was less satisfying than the end, as the Westerwinds fell into an early 7-2 hole. But Western battled back to tie the game at 13, and a block of 2005 Mid-Con Player of the Year Ori Zuzic by Ashley Baker and Patty Melinauskas gave Western its first lead of the match.

Strong serving from Baker highlighted the evening for the Westerwinds. She carried her team from a 15-15 tie in game one to a 21-15 lead, from which the Golden Eagles couldn't recover. Western took the game 30-27.

Western fell flat in games two and three, hitting a combined .057 in the periods. The lapse allowed Oral Roberts to gain a 2-1 games advantage.

Up 20-17 in game four, Baker's serving again propelled Western to victory. The junior served eight consecutive points to give her team a 28-18 advantage. A pair of kills from Baker and Patty Melinauskas sent to match into game five.

Baker's performance at the serve netted her five aces, tying a career-high that she set against the Golden Eagles in 2005. Sauerwein tallied her eleventh double-double of the season with 12 kills and 20 digs. Mid-Con career digs record-holder Jennifer Alexander stunted 29 attacks in the match.

Western Illinois will conclude the regular season at 5 p.m. Saturday in Brophy Hall. Fans are invited to celebrate senior night, the final home match for Jennifer Alexander, Patty Melinauskas and Lisa Suellentrop.