BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY
PRINTABLE BOX SCORE (.pdf)
FARGO, N.D. - The Western Illinois volleyball team struggled offensively against the tall front line of North Dakota State and fell 3-0 (17-25, 18-25, 15-25) to the Bison Friday night (Sept. 16) at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The matchup was the Summit League opener for both squads.
North Dakota State (7-5, 1-0 Summit League) recorded a .307 attack percentage and put down 45 kills against Western Illinois (7-4, 0-1 Summit League), who was held to a season-low .065 attack percentage. The Fighting Leathernecks received kills from six different players and finished the night with 31 kills.
Freshman Ann Miller collected her team-high sixth double-double of the season Friday night with 11 kills and 14 digs. The Davenport, Iowa native, who had six kills in the third set, leads the squad with 102 kills this season and also ranks second in digs (138).
Senior Megan Toczek picked up eight kills, five digs and two total blocks off the bench while junior Katie Hosteng recorded six kills and two total blocks. Junior Bridget Murphy compiled 12 digs at the libero position and freshman Molly Murphy added eight digs in her sixth start of the season.
Senior Alyssa Holum recorded her second start of the season at setter and dished out 27 assists. Meanwhile sophomore Heather Smith collected three kills, seven digs and one service ace in her second appearance of the 2011 campaign.
Western Illinois wraps up the annual swing through the Dakotas in Brookings, S.D. tomorrow (Sept. 17) as the Fighting Leathernecks take on South Dakota State. The matchup is set for 7 p.m. inside Frost Arena with the Jackrabbits, who defeated IUPUI 3-2 Friday night to move to 9-4 overall on the season.
