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Western Illinois University Athletics

Mel Patenaude
3
Winner Valparaiso VALPO 8-11 (1-3)
0
Western Illinois WIU 4-17 (1-4)
Winner
Valparaiso VALPO
8-11 (1-3)
3
Final
0
Western Illinois WIU
4-17 (1-4)
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Valparaiso VALPO 25 26 25 (3)
Western Illinois WIU 12 24 21 (0)

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

Volleyball Falls to Valparaiso in Midweek Action

Leathernecks lose in straight sets Tuesday evening

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois volleyball team played host to Valparaiso Tuesday evening (Oct. 4) in non-league play. The Leathernecks fell in straight sets to the Crusaders to drop to 4-17 (1-4 Summit League) on the season.
 
"Tonight we struggled with getting into a grove from the beginning. We started out slow and were playing catch up the rest of the time," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "We continue to see good things and have to be able to not commit errors at crucial times in the match. Now we turn our focus back to conference. We have some big matches coming up and we need to get back on track."
 
After opening up a large lead, the Crusaders used a 9-0 run in the first set to pull ahead 19-7. Melanie Patenaude came down with a kill late in the set to try and get the Leathernecks going, but it wasn't enough as Valparaiso claimed set one, 25-12.
 
Valparaiso led 7-6 in set two before a kill by Claire Grove tied things up at 7-all. Down by two, Western used a 5-0 run to lead 14-11. The run was led by Patenaude, who contributed with three kills. Western opened a 19-15 lead following a kill from Lexi Kolschefski and a Valpo error to force a Crusader timeout. Later in the set, Grove hammered down a kill as Western led 24-22 and looked to put set two away. However, Valparaiso tied the match up at 24-24 to put set two into extra points. The Leathernecks could not answer as the Crusaders took the second set 26-24.
 
After the Crusaders built a 13-8 lead in the third set, Western used a 3-0 run to cut their deficit to two, 13-11. Another 3-0 run following two Valpo points put them within one, 15-14. Western continued to keep things close and tied things up at 18-18 following consecutive kills from Shiah Sanders and Grove. The Crusaders were then able to build a 5-1 run to lead 23-19. The Leathernecks would not back down, as Patenaude and Grove came down with back-to-back kills to try and keep Western alive 23-21. However, it was not enough, as Valparaiso claimed set three 25-21 and the match 3-0.
 
Patenaude led the team with 11 kills, which tied her career-high for the third time this season. Kate Hickey led the team with a career-high 24 digs (previously 13), followed by Kaili Simmons' 23. Abby Skryd compiled 30 assists.
 
Western hits the road and returns to Summit League play this Friday (Oct. 7) and Sunday (Oct. 9) against Oral Roberts and Denver, respectfully. The Purple and Gold return home to host South Dakota State on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. inside Western Hall.
   
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