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Western Illinois University Athletics

Mel Patenaude
WIU Visual Productions Center
3
Winner South Dakota State SDSU 3-17 (2-6 SL)
2
Western Illinois WIU 4-20 (1-7 SL)
Winner
South Dakota State SDSU
3-17 (2-6 SL)
3
Final
2
Western Illinois WIU
4-20 (1-7 SL)
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
South Dakota State SDSU 21 22 25 31 15 (3)
Western Illinois WIU 25 25 13 29 12 (2)

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

Leathernecks Topped by Jackrabbits, 3-2

Western had three players earn double-doubles in loss to SDSU

PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – After taking the first two sets, the Western Illinois volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to South Dakota State on Sunday (Oct. 16). With the loss, the Leathernecks fall to 4-20 on the season and 1-7 in Summit League play. SDSU improves to 2-6 in league play and 3-17 overall.
 
"I think that we talk about when we have the lead, whether it's in a set or in a match, taking control of that instead of playing not to lose. Once we stepped on the floor in set three, we started playing not to lose. Whether it's a lead in a single set or for the match you have to be able to completely finish all the way through," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "We have to be able to eliminate our errors in big moments. Having two match points in the fourth set and making those errors, those things can't happen. That goes back to us working on consistency and feeling comfortable in big moments and big situations. We need to get better at that."
 
The Leathernecks had three players earn double-doubles Sunday afternoon in Melanie Patenaude (16 kills, 10 digs), Claire Grove (13 kills, 10 digs) and Abby Skryd (32 assists, 10 digs). Kaili Simmons also collected 36 digs, which is her second-most all-time and ranks eighth in program history for digs in a match.
 
Western opened up an 8-2 lead in the first set following a 5-0 run. Another 3-0 spurt, led by a kill from Patenaude and an ace from Emilee Dechant, put them ahead 15-7. Trailing 19-8, the Jackrabbits scored five straight points to cut their deficit to six. They were then able to cut the Leathernecks lead to three points, 23-20. A Jackrabbit error and a kill from Patenaude then sealed the 25-21 set one victory for Western.
 
In the second set, the Leathernecks fell behind 9-5 early on. Trailing 17-11, Western went on a 7-0 run to take an 18-17 lead. The run was highlight by back-to-back service aces from Simmons, and kills from Shalyn Greenhaw and Grove. Both sides would exchange points as the Jackrabbits held a 22-20 lead. The Leathernecks then scored five straight points to come back and win set two, 25-22.
 
The Jackrabbits scored 12 straight points in the third set to lead 14-2. Western's best chance to come back came after a 4-0 run highlight by three straight kills from Patenaude. However, the run was cut short and Western couldn't find any momentum as SDSU stayed alive with a 25-13 set three victory.
 
Both sides exchanged points throughout the opening portion of the fourth set. SDSU held a 14-10 advantaged when Western scored three straight points to come within one. After the Jackrabbits broke away with a 5-0 run, Western cut their deficit to three. It was back-and-forth after that until two straight kills from Patenaude tied the match at 23-all. Another kill from Patenaude and a Jackrabbit error gave Western a 25-24 lead as they looked to put the set away.
 
SDSU would eventually tie things up at 26-26 when a kill from Grove gave Western another chance to take the match. Tied at 27-27, Skryd came down with a kill but SDSU was able to come back and take a 29-28 lead. Patenaude looked to keep Western alive as she tied things up at 29-29, but SDSU capitalized on two WIU errors to take set four, 31-29.
 
In the pivotal fifth set, Western led 5-3 before the Jackrabbits score four consecutive points to lead 7-5. Trailing 11-9, an SDSU error and an ace from Skryd tied the set at 11-11. South Dakota State found the momentum late as they went on a 5-1 run to take the fifth set 15-12 and the match 3-2.
 
Patenaude's career-high 16 kills led the Leathernecks, followed by Grove who also had a career-high 13 kills. Simmons' 36 digs led the team as did Skryd's 32 assists. Riley Schumacher anchored Western defensively with six total blocks.
 
The second half of Summit League play starts with a matchup at Fort Wayne this Friday (Oct. 21). The Purple and Gold then return home to host Denver on Sunday with first serve set for noon inside Western Hall.
 
 
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