FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Western Illinois volleyball team recorded its sixth highest attack percentage this season (.211) but dropped a 3-0 (18-25, 28-30, 16-25) road decision to IPFW Friday night (Nov. 11) inside the Hilliard Gates Sports Center. 

The Mastodons (20-8, 13-4 Summit League) posted a .331 attack percentage against the Fighting Leathernecks (12-17, 3-14 Summit League), which is the highest by a Western Illinois opponent this season. Jessie Manwarning put down 15 kills on 23 attempts for IPFW, who has clinched a spot in The Summit League's postseason tournament.

Western Illinois battled tough in the second set, which featured seven lead changes. Down 22-18, the Fighting Leathernecks went on a 6-0 run with freshman Molly Murphy serving. Western served for set point three times but could not put away IPFW, who won the set with a combined block from Megan Steenhuysen and Alli Hook.

Sophomore Heather Smith picked up her sixth start of the season and led the Leatherneck offense for the third straight match with 10 kills on 29 attempts and one error (.310 attack percentage). Over the last seven matches, Smith is averaging a team-high 2.58 kills per set.

Freshman Ann Miller collected 10 kills on a team-high 30 attempts with just three errors (.233 attack percentage). Miller, who put down five kills in the second set, also compiled a team-high nine digs.

Defensively, Murphy and fellow freshman Bailey Kaloupek both chipped in seven digs. Sophomore Sarah Fetter dished out 32 assists to go along with seven digs, three kills and two service aces. Fetter has 13 service aces this season.

Freshman Mallory Gibson put down five kills on eight attempts (.375 attack percentage) and also collected two total blocks. Gibson leads the squad with 0.81 blocks per set this season and ranks second in total blocks (58) despite appearing in only 72 sets.

Western Illinois concludes the 2011 season Saturday (Nov. 12) when the Fighting Leathernecks take on Oakland. The match from Rochester, Mich. is scheduled for a 4 p.m. CT start inside the Athletics Center O'rena. The Golden Grizzlies (17-10, 11-6 Summit League) clinched their first-ever trip to the conference postseason tournament Friday night with a 3-1 victory over IUPUI.