Leathernecks Drop Pair of Matches in Leatherneck Invitational

Fournier named to the All-Tournament Team

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MACOMB, Ill. - Senior Samantha Fournier was named to the All-Tournament Team Saturday night as the Western Illinois volleyball team concluded play in the 2014 Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational. The Leathernecks dropped a pair of matches to UTEP and Saint Louis.

"I think we did the best we could with having to change our lineup Thursday night coming into this weekend," said head coach April Hall. "We showed what we have on Friday night and today I think today we just forgot how hard we have to work for things, forgot how much we have to push the envelope, and we let go of that today. I think we learned after the day as a whole that we can't take things for granted and we have to keep pushing and keep trying."

The Leathernecks' first match of the afternoon was against Texas-El Paso, a 3-1 decision in favor of the Miners. The opening frame opened favorably for Western Illinois as they quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind consecutive kills from junior Jordan Jackson, Fournier and junior Peyton Crosser. Western Illinois would build up a four point advantage after an ace from senior Molly Murphy that pushed the Purple and Gold's lead to 8-4. From there, the two teams would trade points back and forth until the set was tied at 18-all. UTEP finished the first set winning seven of the last nine points en route to a 25-20 victory.

Western quickly jumped back into the match with a second set victory. UTEP grabbed an early lead in the set, but the Leathernecks fought hard to stay close. A block by Jackson and senior Mallory Gibson knotted up the score at 16-16, and a setting error by the Miners gave Western Illinois its first lead at 17-16. Following a point for UTEP, kills by Gibson and senior Ann Miller, and a block from Gibson and Jackson gave the home team a 20-17 advantage. The set would be tied up at 24-all before a pair of kills from Crosser gave the Leathernecks a 24-26 win headed into the intermission.

After the break, UTEP came out and claimed the third set, 25-22. A Miner service error, followed by a Crosser kill and a block from Fournier and sophomore Melanie Miller gave Western Illinois a 16-14 advantage midway through the set. The Purple and Gold would remain close through the rest of the set before eventually falling. In the final set of the match, UTEP won five of the final seven points to claim the set and the match.

Crosser led all players with 18 kills, matching her season-high which was set Friday night against Eastern Illinois. Miller also recorded double-figure kills, recording 12 of her own. Defensively, four Leathernecks registered 10-plus digs: Murphy (19), A. Miller (18), freshman Kayla Ruff (17) and Fournier (15).

In the nightcap, Saint Louis jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. In the first set, the Leathernecks got to within one at 12-11 behind a kill from Crosser. Saint Louis then used a long run to jump out to a 24-16 lead, but Western would make it close. First, Jackson found a gap for a kill, followed by Jackson and Fournier teaming up for a block, and a block by Jackson and Crosser. Ann Miller added an ace, and Fournier contributed a kill to get the Leathernecks within four at 24-20. The rally fell short, and Saint Louis claimed the set 25-20. Set two belonged to Saint Louis as well, as they took home a 25-16 victory. Western cut the lead to 11-8 after a pair of kills from Crosser and Gibson, but the Billikens pulled away late to head into the intermission up 2-0.

The third and final set belonged to the Billikens as well behind a powerful hitting attack (.714 for the set). Fournier collected one of her five kills in the set to cut the lead to 13-10, but that is as close as the Leathernecks would get. Saint Louis pulled away to take the set, and the match from Western Illinois. Crosser and Jackson paced the Leathernecks with seven kills a piece, while Fournier dished out 22 assists. Murphy led all Leathernecks with 15 digs.

Western Illinois has a short turnaround, as they prepare to face Bradley Tuesday evening. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. (CT) inside Western Hall.

2014 Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational
All-Tournament Team
Saint Louis - Meredith Boe (MVP), Lauren Leverenz, Taylor Paulson
Eastern Illinois - Abby Saalfrank, Allie Hueston
UTEP - Lindsey Larson
Western Illinois - Samantha Fournier

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Players Mentioned

#1 Melanie Miller: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore; Kenwood

#3 Molly Murphy: DS; 5' 5"; Senior; Marist

#4 Kayla Ruff: DS; 5' 3"; Freshman; Pleasant Valley

#6 Ann Miller: OH; 6' 0"; Senior; Bettendorf

#11 Peyton Crosser: MB; 6' 2"; Junior; Ottumwa / Indian Hills CC

#12 Mallory Gibson: MB; 5' 11"; Senior; Riverdale

#15 Jordan Jackson: MB; 6' 0"; Junior; Annawan

#16 Samantha Fournier: RS; 6' 1"; Senior; Moline

Players Mentioned

#1 Melanie Miller
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; Kenwood
: MB

#3 Molly Murphy
: 5' 5"; Senior; Marist
: DS

#4 Kayla Ruff
: 5' 3"; Freshman; Pleasant Valley
: DS

#6 Ann Miller
: 6' 0"; Senior; Bettendorf
: OH

#11 Peyton Crosser
: 6' 2"; Junior; Ottumwa / Indian Hills CC
: MB

#12 Mallory Gibson
: 5' 11"; Senior; Riverdale
: MB

#15 Jordan Jackson
: 6' 0"; Junior; Annawan
: MB

#16 Samantha Fournier
: 6' 1"; Senior; Moline
: RS