"It's exciting to be at home after being at the Dakotas over the weekend and exciting to play in front of the home crowd," said head coach Kym McKay following career win No. 104 at Western Illinois. "Every home match is important and some people might be surprised at our victory tonight. Our next challenge is to do it this weekend and make it two in a row. We want the fan base to get bigger and I think we are doing everything that we can right now to make sure that happens."

Senior Cait Egan collected a team-high 15 kills on 43 attempts (.233 attack percentage) and seven total blocks. Egan had five kills in the second set and became just the ninth player in program history to eclipse the 900-career kill milestone (909). Her seven total blocks moved her career total to 308, which ranks sixth all-time in program history.

Freshman Ann Miller had 12 kills and a season-high 27 digs to record her fifth consecutive double-double. Miller, who now owns a team-high eight double-doubles, had five kills and 10 digs in the decisive fourth set. The Davenport, Iowa native leads the Fighting Leathernecks with 125 kills this season.

Freshman Molly Murphy entered the match with a team-high 15 service aces and added seven aces Monday night. Murphy, who also compiled a season-high 19 digs, had four aces in the third set and three more in the final frame.

Sophomore Sarah Fetter collected her second double-double of the season with 43 assists and 11 digs. Fetter, who had 13 assists in the fourth set, also added three kills on seven attempts and a solo block.

Junior Bridget Murphy matched Miller with a team-high 27 digs for her fifth 20+ dig performance of the season. Murphy, who leads all Summit League competitors with 5.50 digs per set, moved past the 900-career dig milestone (912) with five digs in the third set.

Fellow junior Katie Hosteng put down eight kills, including five over the final two sets. Hosteng also recorded four total blocks and ranks second (17) behind Egan (32) for the team lead.

Ann Miller and Molly Murphy were not the only freshmen to make an impact Monday night. Samantha Fournier had nine kills, Mallory Gibson collected three total blocks and Bailey Kaloupek compiled a season-high nine digs. Fournier ranks fourth on the squad in kills (86) this season while Gibson is third with 14 total blocks.

Western Illinois concludes the homestand this weekend when the Fighting Leathernecks host Southern Utah Friday (Sept. 23) and Oral Roberts Saturday (Sept. 24). Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be played inside Brophy Hall.