MACOMB, Ill. -Â The Fighting Leatherneck volleyball team hits the road for a midweek match on Tuesday, September 8, as the Purple and Gold take on Saint Louis. First serve is set for 7 p.m. inside Chaifetz Arena. Western, looking to pick up its first win of the season will take on a Billiken team that sits at 2-5 in 2015.
SERIES HISTORIES: Western Illinois and Saint Louis have met 23 times previously, with the Billikens leading the all-time series, 15-8. The teams met last season, September 6, in Macomb, with Saint Louis taking a 3-0 decision. The Leathernecks picked up a victory in 2012 when Western defeated Saint Louis, 3-0, on the road.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS: Saint Louis is paced offensively by Danielle Rygelski, as she leads the team with 39 kills on the season (through three matches). Lauren Leverenz (28 kills), Nenye Okoro (26) and Megan Gilbert (22) each look to factor in offensively for the Billikens Tuesday evening. Meredith Boe handles the setting duties and has dished out 133 assists on the season. Okoro doubles as the defensive leader, as she paces the team with 44 digs on the year. Saint Louis, who returns its full starting lineup from a season ago, is led by sixth year head coach Kent Miller.
ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS: Junior Kaili Simmons made the most of her Western Illinois debut at the 2015 Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational. The transfer from Missouri State-West Plains was named to the All-Tournament Team following a weekend in which she led the team in digs (42) and aces (5). The captain was 1-of-10 Leathernecks to make their Purple and Gold debut in the opening weekend. Freshman Sierra Bauder claimed her first collegiate accolade at the Kansas Inviational as she was named to the All-Tournament Team. On the Weekend, Bauder collected 11 kills and eight blocks, with two of the opponents receiving votes in the latest polls.
LEATHERNECK NEWCOMERS: The 2015 roster will feature 14 new faces compared to a season ago. Richardson and her staff hit the recruiting trail the moment they arrived on campus and brought in a freshman signing class of eight members. Shaela Gray (Fontana, Calif.), Shiah Sander (Plymouth, Minn.), Abby Skryd (Naperville, Ill.), Kate Hickey (DeKalb, Ill.), Melanie Patenaude (Aurora, Colo.), Morgyn Bullock (Elkhart, Iowa), Lexi Kolschefski (La Habra, Calif.), and Sierra Bauder (Phoenix, Ariz.) all join the Leathernecks after standout prep careers and will look to make an immediate impact on the 2015 roster. Richardson also brought in a pair of sophomore transfers in Danni Bristow (Saskatoon, Saskatchwan) and Emilee Dechant (Hutchinson, Kan.) who join the Purple and Gold family after spending their freshman campaign at Louisiana Tech. Juniors Kaili Simmons (El Dorado Springs, Mo.), Reilly Dunne (Bartonville, Ill.), Katie Soddy (Milton, Wis.), and Krishna Merriman (Neosho, Mo.) add depth and experience to the 2015 squad.
LEATHERNECK RETURNERS: Outside hitter Peyton Crosser (Ottumwa, Iowa) and middle blocker Jordan Jackson (Annawan, Ill.) return to lead the Leathernecks in their senior seasons. Crosser was an offensive weapon a season ago, as she finished second on the team with 271 kills as a junior. Crosser was a defensive force in the middle, as her 87 total blocks ranked second on the team, while her 18 solo blocks were tied for the team lead.
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