Box Score
MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois volleyball team dropped its fourth consecutive match, 3-0, to the Drake Bulldogs Tuesday night at Western Hall.
The Fighting Leathernecks (8-15, 4-7) struggled with 15 attack errors in a 25-17 first set loss, but rebounded to play the Bulldogs (16-7, 5-4) tough in 25-20 and 25-23 losses in the second and third sets.
“Coming out with 15 unforced hitting errors in set one was definitely frustrating. I think it let Drake settle in and get confident and it put us a little on edge,” Western Illinois coach Kym McKay said. “In sets two and three, when we controlled our side a lot more with that third contact, it was very competitive volleyball.”
McKay said she was happy with the way the Leathernecks dealt with Drake's height. All of the Bulldogs' frontline players were 6-foot-1-inch and taller.
“They have some big blockers, especially on their right side. I think we did some good things to not let their size and their block become a factor,” McKay said. “We knew they were going to run a couple of sets at a very quick pace and we shut those down defensively.”
McKay also said she was pleased with Western's defensive effort, including the serve receive. The Leathernecks finished with 57 digs. Bridget Murphy led the way with 13 digs while Brooke Stittleburg and Ellen Miller both had 12 and Elise Crnjak chipped in 11.
“We did a good job at the net with our block and also with our defense, making sure that they were getting around the block and getting a lot of good touches,” McKay said. “We did a great job of controlling the defensive part of the game on our side. Where we did struggle was controlling our offensive side.”
The Leathernecks finished with a hitting percentage of .074 (39k, 29e, 136ta) and failed to have a player reach double-digit kills. Cait Egan and Allison Gilbert both had nine kills and Stittleburg chipped in eight. Miller had 30 digs to complete her 12th double-double of the season.
“When you give that first set away like that, it is more of a mental struggle to climb back up and establish yourself,” McKay said. “When we were able to apply some pressure back to Drake, you could see where we were at certain points in the match the better team. ”
The Leathernecks will be back in Summit League action Friday and Saturday when Western welcomes North Dakota State and South Dakota State to Brophy Hall. Both matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
“The type of team that Drake is with the size of their block and how some of their hitters can put the ball away prepares us very well for this weekend with the Dakotas,” McKay said. “Both Dakotas are long and lean. Offensively, they can take some big swings. I want to maintain our serve receive and ball control and improve the consistency of our offense.”
