MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois defense shined
Friday night as four players compiled double-digit digs but the Fighting
Leathernecks could not keep up offensively with Southern Utah in a 3-2 loss
(25-23, 20-25, 21-25, 25-20, 12-15) to the Thunderbirds in front of 826 fans at
Brophy Hall.
Western Illinois (8-6, 1-3 Summit League) won a
thrilling first set and an exciting fourth set but Southern
Utah (4-10, 2-2 Summit League) took control of the match by putting down 67
kills. The Fighting Leathernecks had 53 kills and were less efficient than
the Thunderbirds offensively (.206-.126).
“We did not play our best volleyball and the stats prove that," head coach Kym McKay said following the match. "Some players that have been playing very strong for us did not have their best games and that is going to happen. You just have to hope that the players around them can pick them up and allow them to get back in rhythm. We'll be ready for Oral Roberts tomorrow and use this frustration as motivation."
The middle hitters were the offensive stars for the
Fighting Leathernecks. Senior Cait Egan set Western Illinois season-highs with 16
kills on 52 attempts (.212 attack percentage) while junior Katie Hosteng put
down 15 kills on 32 attempts (.312 attack percentage). Egan picked up her team-high
eighth solo block of the season in the second set and Hosteng collected four
total blocks of her own.
Freshman Ann Miller extended her double-double
streak to six matches with 10 kills and 10 digs. Miller, who also picked up a
service ace and two block assists, now owns a team-high nine double-doubles
this season.
Sophomore Sarah Fetter tied her season-high with 45
assists, including 12 in the fourth set victory. Freshman Mallory Gibson had three kills and six total
blocks in her fourth start of the season.
Junior Bridget Murphy compiled a match-high 26 digs for
her third consecutive 20+ dig performance and sixth overall this season.
Freshman Molly Murphy collected a season-high 20 digs and her team-high 23rd
service ace of the season while Bailey Kaloupek had 12 digs and two aces.
Western Illinois is back in action Saturday night
(Sept. 24) when the Fighting Leathernecks welcome Oral Roberts to Brophy Hall
for a 7 p.m. start. The Golden Eagles swept IUPUI Friday night to improve to
10-4 overall and 3-1 in the Summit League. ORU has won three straight and 10 of
their last 11 matches.
