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Western Illinois University Athletics

Abby Skryd
3
Winner Denver DEN 17-4 (5-1 SL)
0
Western Illinois WIU 3-16 (1-4 SL)
Winner
Denver DEN
17-4 (5-1 SL)
3
Final
0
Western Illinois WIU
3-16 (1-4 SL)
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Denver DEN 25 25 25 (3)
Western Illinois WIU 18 20 14 (0)

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

Leathernecks Drop Summit League Contest Against Denver

Western returns to action on Tuesday, October 13, as the team travels to UIC

MACOMB, Ill. – Peyton Crosser tallied a team-high eight kills and Abby Skryd led the team in assists (19) and digs (9) Friday (Oct. 9) evening, as the Western Illinois volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Denver inside Brophy Hall. The Leathernecks fell to 3-16 on the season and 1-4 in The Summit League with the defeat, while the Pioneers moved to 5-1 in league play and 17-4 overall.
 
"I was happy with the way they came out and had that push," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "It's been a rough week for us, we were only able to get in and work out one time in the gym to prepare for this match. But I think they did a good job of pushing through. They are starting to get their voices back, and you can tell their movement is coming back a little bit. So I think we are on the uphill swing of getting healthy again, which is encouraging for us as we head into a big week next week."
 
Trailing 12-5 in the opening set, the Leathernecks ripped off three straight points from a trio of WIU newcomers. First Krishna Merriman recorded a kill to get the run started, followed by a Reilly Dunne kill on the outside. Kaili Simmons then added to the run with a service ace to pull the Leathernecks within four of the Pioneers. The ace was the first of three on the night for Simmons, matching a season-high for the junior libero.
 
Denver was able to jump out to a 22-12 lead and was in position to take the first set easily, but the Leathernecks responded with a 5-1 run to put some pressure on the Pioneers. The run was highlighted by a combination block from Merriman and Lexi Kolschefski and the second ace of the night by Simmons. The run couldn't be sustained, as Denver, who currently sits in second place in the league standings, took a 25-18 decision.
 
The Leathernecks continued to gain energy as the teams headed to a second set and stormed out to an early 4-1 lead thanks to kills from Dunne and Crosser. After the Pioneers came back to take the lead, the Purple and Gold took it right back at 8-7 off of Simmons' third and final ace. As the two teams traded the lead, Western once again found themselves on top at 13-12 following a 3-0 run. Kolschefski tallied a solo block sandwiched between a pair of Crosser kills.
 
Denver responded to Western's run and opened a 23-17 lead, but WIU wouldn't go down quietly. The team used three-straight kills from Merriman, Jordan Jackson, and Melanie Patenaude, to get within three at 23-20. The rally fell short as the Pioneers claimed the final two points to take the set, 25-20, and own a 2-0 advantage as the teams headed to the locker room. Following the break, the Pioneers were able to take the third and final set by a 25-14 tally to earn the victory Friday evening.
 
Following three-straight matches in Macomb, the Leathernecks hit the road on Tuesday, October 13, as the team heads to Chicago to take on UIC. First serve between the Leathernecks and Flames is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Flames Athletic Center.
  
 
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