Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Peyton Crosser
2
Western Illinois WIU 5-18, 3-7
3
Winner Oral Roberts ORU 12-12, 6-5
Western Illinois WIU
5-18, 3-7
2
Final
3
Oral Roberts ORU
12-12, 6-5
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Western Illinois WIU 27 26 16 22 11 (2)
Oral Roberts ORU 25 24 25 25 15 (3)

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

Leathernecks Drop 5-Set Heartbreaker at Oral Roberts

Peyton Crosser posts career-high kills in tough road loss against Golden Eagles


TULSA, Okla. - Junior Peyton Crosser recorded a career-high 25 kills Friday night as the Leathernecks dropped a five-set heartbreaker on the road at Oral Roberts. After Western Illinois (5-18, 3-7) claimed the first two sets, Oral Roberts (12-12, 6-5) stormed back to take the final three sets to secure the victory.

"We started out strong in the first two sets and the fell short in the last three due to errors. Our serve receive faltered in sets three, four, and five, and our attacking errors increased in those sets as well," said head coach April Hall. "We need to realize that we can't win matches playing hard in only two sets, but that it takes maximum effort throughout the entirety of the match to come out on top. We are still vying for a spot in the conference tournament and hope to swing the momentum our way come Sunday."

The opening frame belonged to the Purple and Gold, as they edged the Golden Eagles by a 27-25 decision. Oral Roberts led throughout most of the first set until Western used a 7-0 run to take a 19-17 lead. The Leathernecks, who hadn't led since claiming the first point of the set, leaned heavily on Crosser during the run. The native of Ottumwa, Iowa collected four kills during the scoring run to push the Leathernecks ahead. The two teams would battle back and forth until Western Illinois had set point at 25-24. A Western error would give Oral Roberts hope before a pair of kills from Crosser would end the set in favor of the visiting Leathernecks.

Extra points were needed once again in the second set, as Western gained a 2-0 lead in the match behind a 26-24 victory. Western took the opening point once again, and maintained control through the first half of the set. Oral Roberts took its first lead of the set at 16-15 before the Leathernecks would quickly tie things up. From there the two squad would trade points down to the very end. A Crosser kill gave Western Illinois set point at 24-23, but a Golden Eagle kill would knot things up at 24. Crosser was called upon for another kill to put Western Illinois up 25-24, and an Oral Roberts error would send the Leathernecks into the intermission in control.

Oral Roberts slowly clawed their way back into the match by taking the third set, 25-16. In the fourth set, Western Illinois found themselves in a position to potentially take the set, and the match, as the two teams were tied at 21-all. The Golden Eagles took four of the next five points to win 25-21 and force a fifth an final set. In the final frame, Oral Roberts jumped out to an early lead, and led 8-3 when the two teams traded sides. The Leathernecks would get to within two points at 11-9 behind a 3-0 scoring run. Kills from Ann Miller and Crosser, followed by an Golden Eagle hitting error forced a timeout from the home team. Out of the timeout, Oral Roberts would seal off the comeback victory, winning the set, 15-11.

Crosser bested her previous career-high of 18 kills Friday night, collecting 25 kills over the course of the match. Miller registered a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs. The 19 kills from Miller moves her into fourth place on the all-time kills list with 1,239, surpassing Ashley Baker (1,235). Miller can take over third place on the list Sunday afternoon if she picks up eight or more kills. Molly Murphy paced the defense with 15 digs while Samantha Fournier dished out 48 assists.,

Western Illinois continues west, traveling to Colorado to take on league-leading Denver on Sunday (Nov. 2). First serve between the Leathernecks and Pioneers is set for 3 p.m. (CT).
 
Print Friendly Version