Leathernecks Fall to Valparaiso, Chicago State, at ISU Classic

Summit League play up next for Leathernecks

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Western Illinois volleyball team wrapped up tournament play at the ISU Classic Saturday (September 19) afternoon, with a pair of contests against Valparaiso and Chicago State. The Leathernecks were unable to gain any traction on the day, as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Crusaders and a 3-0 decisions to the Cougars. Following the weekend, Western sits at 2-12 on the year as Summit League play is set to get underway.

"This was a tough weekend. We were hoping to take our momentum from a great win Tuesday and run with it," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "We just couldn't get things going. Our focus now becomes our Summit league schedule as we look forward to South Dakota on Friday."

The Leathernecks stormed out of the gate in Saturday morning's contest against Valparaiso, claiming a 25-23 victory in the opening set. Abby Skyrd started things off with service aces in two of the first three points to help push WIU out to an early 3-0 lead. After the Crusaders took the lead a few points later, Western used a 5-1 run to take a 10-8 advantage. Melanie Patenaude recorded a pair of kills, Peyton Crosser picked up a kill of her own, and Skryd tallied an unassisted kill on a Valpo overpass.

A 7-2 run by the Purple and Gold pushed the Leatherneck advantage to 19-13, forcing Valpo to burn a timeout. The run was highlighted by a pair of WIU aces by Skryd and Kaili Simmons. Western looked to be in position to claim the set, as the team led 23-18 late in the set, but Valpo would score five unanswered points to even things at 23-all. WIU held strong, and claimed the last two points, a Crosser kill and a Lexi Kolschefski/Crosser block, to seal the first set victory.

Western's momentum couldn't be sustained, as Valparaiso claimed the next three sets, 25-11, 25-16, 25-18.

Against the Cougars, Western was never able to get on track in the opening set, as Chicago State picked up a 25-19 victory to open the match. The second and third sets would be a battle, as each would require extra points to determine the winner. The second set was closely contested, but the Purple and Gold were able to build a cushion thanks to a 6-1 run. Shiah Sanders tallied a kill, Simmons recorded an ace, and Jackson and Sanders teamed up for a combination block. Following the run, Western held a 15-11 advantage over the Cougars, and was looking to even the match a 1-all. Chicago State was able to battle back, however, and even the set at 24-24, forcing extra points. After trading points back and forth, Chicago State recorded consecutive points to take the set, 29-27.

The two teams would face a similar set in the third and final set, as Chicago State was able to squeeze out a 26-24 decision to take the match, 3-0.
Crosser tallied 14 kills against the Cougars, Skryd dished out 34 assists, a match-high, and Kate Hickey recorded 11 digs.

Crosser paced the Western attack against Valpo, as she finished with 16 kills. Skryd dished out 30 assists and added four aces while Simmons tallied 11 digs.

Summit League play is next for Western Illinois, as the Leathernecks hit the road next weekend for a pair of contests. The Purple and Gold will open league play at South Dakota on Friday, September 25, with first serve set for 6 p.m. Immediately following Friday's contest, Western will travel north and take on North Dakota State on Saturday, September 26, at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Peyton Crosser: OH; 6' 2"; Senior; Ottumwa / Indian Hills CC

#3 Shiah Sanders: OH/RS; 6' 0"; Freshman; Osseo

#6 Kate Hickey: DS; 5' 6"; Freshman; DeKalb

#16 Lexi Kolschefski: M; 6' 3"; Freshman; La Habra

#7 Melanie Patenaude: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman; Cherry Creek

#8 Kaili Simmons: L/DS; 5' 9"; Junior; El Dorado Springs / Missouri State-West Plains

Players Mentioned

#11 Peyton Crosser
: 6' 2"; Senior; Ottumwa / Indian Hills CC
: OH

#3 Shiah Sanders
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Osseo
: OH/RS

#6 Kate Hickey
: 5' 6"; Freshman; DeKalb
: DS

#16 Lexi Kolschefski
: 6' 3"; Freshman; La Habra
: M

#7 Melanie Patenaude
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Cherry Creek
: OH

#8 Kaili Simmons
: 5' 9"; Junior; El Dorado Springs / Missouri State-West Plains
: L/DS