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Western Illinois University Athletics

Ann MIller
0
South Dakota State SDSU 6-16 (0-6)
3
Winner Western Illinois WIU 4-15 (2-4)
South Dakota State SDSU
6-16 (0-6)
0
Final
3
Western Illinois WIU
4-15 (2-4)
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
South Dakota State SDSU 26 20 24 (0)
Western Illinois WIU 28 25 26 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Sweep Jackrabbits in League Action

Team records season-high attack percentage in victory

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois volleyball team picked up its second sweep in league play Sunday afternoon, knocking off South Dakota State in three sets inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks improve to 4-15 (2-4) while the Jackrabbits fall to 6-16 (0-6) on the season.

"They did a nice job in chaotic moments, bringing it back in and controlling it on our side, which is good," said head coach April Hall. "I think they were more determined to be a different team, and be the team they can be. We saw it against IPFW and we have been wanting it ever since we saw it then, so it was good to see it back again tonight."

All three sets were closely contested, as two of the three sets needed extra points to determine the winner. The opening set saw no team lead by more than four points, while there were 15 ties and six lead changes throughout the course of the set. Western appeared to be in position to claim the first set after a kill from Samantha Fournier made it 24-20 in favor of the Leathernecks. However, the Jacks would climb back into the set, eventually taking a 25-24 lead. The Purple and Gold would hold strong, using consecutive hitting errors from SDSU to claim the first set, 28-26. 

The second frame felt similar to the first, as the two teams battled back and forth for momentum. Western Illinois used a 5-0 run early in the set to gain a 13-10 advantage with a kill from Ann Miller and a block from Mallory Gibson and Jordan Jackson highlighting the action. With the Leathernecks leading 21-14 late in the set, South Dakota State rallied to make things interesting. With the lead trimmed to 22-20, a SDSU hitting error gave Western a 23-20 lead. Kayla Ruff would record an ace and Ann Miller tallied one of her match-leading 21 kills to give the Leathernecks a 25-20 victory in the second set. 

Western Illinois closed out the match with another close set, downing the Jacks 26-24. The set was highlighted early by a 6-1 run, with Peyton Crosser contributing a kill, and Melanie Miller and Samantha Fournier teaming up for a block. The run gave Western a 10-6 lead, but neither team would lead by more than two points down the stretch. Fournier's kill gave the Leathernecks set point at 24-22, but the Jackrabbits would force the set into extra points. Ann Miller would once again put the Purple and Gold on the brink of victory at 25-24 with a kill, and a SDSU hitting error would seal the match for the Leathernecks.

Ann Miller led the Leathernecks' attack recording 23 kills while hitting .408 on the day (23 kills, 3 errors, 49 total attacks). Fournier dished out a match-high 34 assists, while the back line held strong recording 57 digs. Molly Murphy (11), Kayla Ruff (10) and Ann Miller (10) all notched double-figure digs for Western Illinois. 

Western Illinois wore pink uniforms for the match to show its support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and will wear the pink unfiorms for the remaining home matches in October. The team returns to action next weekend, hosting a pair of opponents inside Western Hall. Western Illinois will first host IUPUI who comes to town on Friday (Oct. 17) before concluding the weekend against Oral Roberts (Oct. 19). First serves are slated for 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
 
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