Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Team Huddle
0
Western Illinois WIU 0-4
3
Winner Kansas KU 4-0
Western Illinois WIU
0-4
0
Final
3
Kansas KU
4-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Western Illinois WIU 14 16 6 (0)
Kansas KU 25 25 25 (3)
3
Winner UMKC UMKC 3-2
0
Western Illinois WIU 0-5
Winner
UMKC UMKC
3-2
3
Final
0
Western Illinois WIU
0-5
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
UMKC UMKC 25 25 25 (3)
Western Illinois WIU 16 20 13 (0)

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

Volleyball Drops a Pair at Kansas Invitational

Leathernecks close out play against Duke on Saturday, September 5

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Western Illinois volleyball team took the court Friday (Sept. 4) as the Leathernecks competed in the opening day of the Kansas Invitational. The Purple and Gold battled in a pair of matches against tournament hosts Kansas and former Summit League rival Kansas City, but ultimately dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions. Western sits at 0-5 on the early portion of the 2015 season.
 
"We continue to see moments of great things," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "Every time we step out on the court, consistency is going to continue being our focus. We have to start taking better care of our first ball contact, and learn how to stay dialed in through the full match. This is something that will continue to improve every match."
 
Western had no easy task at them out of the gate, as the Leathernecks faced off against Kansas, who entered the day a perfect 3-0 and receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. After spotting the Jayhawks an early 4-0 lead, Western recovered and went on a 4-0 scoring run of their own to bring the score to 10-8 Kansas early in the first set. A KU service error opened the scoring before Peyton Crosser recorded back-to-back kills from Abby Skryd. Kate Hickey ended the four-point run with an ace from the service line.
 
Western continued to battle through the midway point of the set, as they only trailed by a pair of points at 14-12. Kansas stop any WIU momentum, as a 11-2 run closed out the first set in favor of KU, 25-14.
 
 Kansas built an early lead the second set as they opened on an 8-2 run. The run was enough for the tournament hosts out of the Big 12, as they claimed set two, 25-16. The Jayhawks took the momentum into the third and final set, as they closed out the match with a 25-6 victory.
 
Friday's nightcap featured Western taking on Kansas City. Trailing 6-2 in the opening set, Western would rattle off three consecutive points to pull within one of the 'Roos. Jordan Jackson started and ended the mini run with a pair of kills, with an attack error accounting for the third point. After trading points, Kansas City pulled away thanks to an 8-0 run and claimed the first set, 25-16.
 
The second set was a back and forth affair, as the two teams remained close throughout much of the set. Western opened to an early 4-2 lead, highlighted by a solo block from Shiah Sanders and a double block from Sanders and Jackson. After giving up the lead, the Leathernecks responded with a 6-2 run to even things up at 14-all. Melanie Patenaude recorded a pair of kills during the run and Crosser stepped up and delivered a pair of aces to help the effort. The two teams battled until the end, with Kansas City picking up a 25-20 victory in the second set. The Kangaroos would close out the match with a 25-13 victory in the third and final set.
 
Crosser paced the attack with 10 kills on the day, while Skryd dished out a team-high 33 assists. Sierra Bauder and Sanders each recorded three blocks while Crosser and Bauder tallied a pair of aces each. Kaili Simmons anchored the back line with 16 digs on the day.
 
Western closes out play at the Kansas Invitational on Saturday, September 5, as the Leathernecks take on Duke at 11 a.m.
 
 
Print Friendly Version