DENVER, Colo. - Ann Miller moved into third place in Leatherneck history in career kills Sunday afternoon (Nov. 2) as Western Illinois dropped a 3-0 decision to league leading Denver. Miller's nine kills, a team high, gave the native of Bettendorf, Iowa 1,248 in her four-year career in the Purple and Gold. The performance moved Miller into third place and past Michele Aulig (1,246). The loss drops the Leathernecks to 5-19 (3-8) on the season while the Pioneers moved to 21-5 (10-2). 

"We did not play our best today and let Denver dominate the match," said head coach April Hall. "We had a strong start to the match, and were executing the game plan, but faltered midway through the first set and never regained control. Today was not a true statement of who we are and we look to get back in the gym this week to work out the kinks."

In the opening set, Western used a 7-1 run midway through the action to take a 14-13 lead. Molly Murhpy and Kayla Ruff contributed aces during the run while Western received kills from Mallory Gibson and Jordan Jackson. Immediate following the Western run, the Pioneers used a 5-0 run of their own to take control of the set. A 5-1 run to end the set gave Denver a 25-18 victory.

Denver extended its lead to 2-0 after claiming the second set, 25-11, and secured the sweep of the match with a 25-16 victory in the third set. Denver capitalized on Western's hitting errors Sunday afternoon, outhitting the Leathernecks, .261 to .009. Senior Samantha Fournier dished out a match-high 21 assists, while three Leathernecks, Fournier, Murphy, and Ruff, all collected seven digs. 

The Fighting Leathernecks return home for their final homestand of the season next weekend, hosting North Dakota State and South Dakota in league action. The Bison will be in town on Friday (Nov. 7) for a 6 p.m. first serve. Western Illinois will honor its four seniors, Samantha Fournier, Mallory Gibson, Ann Miller and Molly Murphy on Sunday (Nov. 9), with first serve against the Coyotes slated for 2 p.m.