MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois volleyball fell to the Denver Pioneers, 3-0, on Friday evening (Nov. 15) inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks fall to 11-17 overall and 5-8 in league play, while Denver improves to 15-11 overall and 9-4 in the conference.

The Pioneers took the opening set, 25-14, after jumping out to a 17-3 lead. Ann Miller, Mallory Gibson and Jordan Jackson each recorded three kills in the opener for the Purple & Gold.

The second featured six tie scores and three lead changes, with DU coming away with the 25-21 victory. The Pioneers used a four-point run late to pull away from Western and secure the win.

The final set was back-and-forth until the end, with Denver winning, 25-23. Heather Smith notched four kills in the final set, which featured nine tied scores and three lead changes.

Despite the loss, the Leathernecks have clinched a spot in The Summit League Tournament for the first time since 2007. The appearance will be the seventh for Leatherneck volleyball in program history.

“It seems so small, 'oh, we're going to conference.' But this team, they've never gone to conference,” said head coach April Hall. “Bridget Murphy, who's on staff now, has never seen a conference tournament. It's been a long time and our seniors want it. No one wanted our season to be over on Sunday. It says so much about this program and the athletes in this program and what they're willing to do to succeed.”

Gibson finished with a team-high 11 kills, while Miller recorded 10.

Sarah Fetter led the way with 27 assists for the Leathernecks. 

Molly Murphy notched a team-best 15 digs, while Miller (14), Fetter (10) and Smith (10) also finished with double-digit digs. 

Western will be back in action on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 17) for senior day. Smith and Fetter will be honored prior to the match against South Dakota, which is slated to begin at 2 p.m. inside Western Hall.