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Team Celebration
0
Western Illinois WIU 0-9
3
Winner Evansville UE 5-5
Western Illinois WIU
0-9
0
Final
3
Evansville UE
5-5
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Western Illinois WIU 13 17 19 (0)
Evansville UE 25 25 25 (3)
3
Winner Western Illinois WIU 1-9
1
Jackson State JSUVB15 0-11
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
1-9
3
Final
1
Jackson State JSUVB15
0-11
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western Illinois WIU 25 22 25 25 (3)
Jackson State JSUVB15 20 25 19 14 (1)

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

Leathernecks Pick Up First Victory in 2015 with 3-1 Decision Over Jackson State

Jordan Jackson and Kaili Simmons named to Evansville 'All-Tournament Team'

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Western Illinois volleyball team picked up its first victory of the 2015 season on Saturday, September 12, as play at the Evansville Tournament concluded. The Leathernecks collected a 3-1 victory over Jackson State to conclude play. Earlier in the day, the Leathernecks dropped a 3-0 decision to Evansville. Western moves to 1-9 on the year, as Jordan Jackson and Kaili Simmons were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
"I was very happy with the way out team came back and responded after set two (against Jackson State). Being able to put the pieces together and finish the match in four was very important for this group," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "Jordan Jackson had a big weekend, and did a great job pacing our middles and offense. Kaili Simmons also had a strong three matches, and did a good job protecting our floor defensively. We continued to see improvement in our team this weekend, and are looking forward to getting in the gym Monday to prepare for our last week of preseason play."
 
Western opened its nightcap against the Tigers of Jackson State in impressive fashion, as a 12-2 run opened up a 16-10 lead. Jackson, who tallied her first All-Tournament Team recognition of the year, led the charge as she accounted for five of Western's 12 points. The native of Annawan, Illinois, opened the run with a combination block alongside Melanie Patenaude. Jackson would tally two kills, an ace, and a second block (a double block with Peyton Crosser) to help give Western the advantage.
 
Jackson State made a small run to pull within three at 18-15, but a Sierra Bauder kill and a Patenaude/Jackson blocked halted any change in momentum. With a five-point lead in hand, Western and Jackson State traded points until a Tiger hitting error gave Western the first set, 25-20.
 
After dropping the second set, 25-22, a set in which WIU led 22-21, the Purple and Gold got back to their winning ways in the third. Trailing 6-2, a Jackson kill launched what would become a 9-0 Leatherneck run. Kate Hickey tallied consecutive aces, while Jackson and Crosser collected back-to-back combination blocks. Following the run, Western kept the JSU attack in check, limiting the Tigers to no more than two points in a given run.
 
Western used a 4-1 run late in the set to pull ahead 22-15. Jackson recorded two kills in the run while Lexi Kolschefski and Abby Skryd teamed up for a block. The Leathernecks capped the 25-19 victory with a Sierra Bauder kill to put WIU up 2-1 in the match.
 
It was all Leathernecks in the fourth and final set of the evening, as Western cruised to a 25-14 victory. The tone was set early as Western opened on an 11-1 run to take control of things. Hickey recorded three aces in the run, while Jackson (three kills), Crosser (one kill) and Morgyn Bullock (one ace) all contributed to the scoring run.
 
A 5-0 run later in the set put things out of reach for Jackson State, as the Leathernecks led 21-9 following the run. Western would close out the final points and put a cap on its first victory of the year.
 
Jackson had a day to remember, as her 18 kills are a career high for the senior captain. Crosser, another senior captain, had a strong showing, ending the day with 12 kills and nine digs. Simmons, the third captain, earned All-Tournament honors following an 18-dig performance.
 
Western's victory came on the heels of a tough 3-0 defeat to Evansville to open play on Saturday. Western had a few runs early in the opening set, but ultimately dropped a 25-13 decision in the first set. Set two and three went in a similar direction, as the Purple Aces picked up 25-17 and 25-19 victories en route to the victory.
 
Crosser, Jackson, and Patenaude each tallied five kills to lead the attack behind a team-high 20 assists from Skryd. Simmons picked up 10 digs on the back end for the Purple and Gold.
 
Western has another short turnaround, as the Leathernecks travel to Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, September 15, for a midweek battle with Drake. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
 
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