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Women's Volleyball Tuesday, August 23, 2016 WIU Athletic Communications

Volleyball Opens 2016 Season at Pepsi Panther Invitational

Western Illinois is scheduled to play Akron, Bradley and hosts Milwaukee over two days

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

WHEN AND WHERE:
Milwaukee Pepsi Panther Invitational
Friday, August 26 - Saturday, August 27
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Klotsche Center
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MATCH 1
Western Illinois vs. Akron
August 26, 10:30 a.m.

MATCH 2
Western Illinois vs. Bradley
August 26, 5:30 p.m.

GAME 3
Western Illinois at Milwaukee
August 27, 1 p.m.
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WIU 2015 STATS:
HERE

AKRON: Stats | Website
BRADLEY: Stats | Website
MILWAUKEE: Stats | Website

COVERAGE

LIVE STATS:
vs. Akron
vs. Bradley
at Milwaukee

WATCH:
vs. Milwaukee on ESPN 3

SOCIAL MEDIA

TWITTER:
@WIUV olleyball
@WIUAthletics

FACEBOOK:
Western Illinois University V olleyball
Western Illinois Athletics

INSTAGRAM:
Western Illinois Athletics

PRESEASON INFORMATION

2016 Preseason Quick Facts (.PDF)
2016 Preseason Record Book (.PDF)
2016 Schedule Release
2 016 'Day in the Life'

MACOMB, Ill. – The Fighting Leatherneck volleyball team opens their 2016 campaign on Friday and Saturday, August 26-27, with the Milwaukee Pepsi Panther Invitational. Western takes on Akron, Bradley and Milwaukee over two days of competition. Friday marks the season opener against Akron at 10:30 a.m. followed by a matchup against Bradley at 5:30 p.m. Tournament play concludes on Saturday against host Milwaukee at 1 p.m.

SERIES HISTORIES: Friday marks the second meeting between the Leathernecks and the Zips. Akron took a 3-0 decision last season in Western Hall. Bradley leads the all-time series between the two squads, 23-16. The teams last met on September 9, 2014 where Western grabbed a 3-1 victory. Saturday marks the first meeting between Western and Milwaukee.

A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS: Akron was picked to finish sixth in the Eastern Division of the Mid-American Conference as they return 11 letter winners from last year. The Zips finished 8-23 (2-14) in the MAC last season. Bradley finished 6-24 last year (1-17 MVC) and return their team leaders in kills (295) last season, Erica Haslag, and assists Afton Sobasky (539). The Panthers were picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll and return their digs leader (579) in Myanna Ruiz.

LEATHERNECK NEWCOMERS: Western welcomes nine newcomers to this year's roster, including a freshman signing class of eight new members. Aleezah Washington (Plainfield, Ill.), Jenna Bryan (Carthage, Ill.), Kayla Gresl (Appleton, Wis.), Mackenzie Steckler (Wentzville, Mo.), Riley Schumacher (St. Charles, Ill.), Makenzie Bouse (Willard, Mo.), Hannah Walker (Battle Creek, Mich.) and Claire Grove (Naperville, Ill.) will look to add depth to the roster. Junior transfer Shalyn Greenhaw (Muscatine, Iowa) will bring experience and has been selected to The Summit League's Preseason Player to Watch List.

LEATHERNECK RETURNERS: The Leathernecks return 10 players from a year ago (four starters). Libero Kaili Simmons and middle blocker Krishna Merriman lead the team as the two lone seniors. Simmons led the team in digs (381) and ranked second in aces (24) last season. The team leader in assists (764) and aces (31) from a year ago, Abby Skryd, also returns for the Purple and Gold.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Krishna Merriman: M/OH; 6' 1"; Senior; Pierce City / Missouri Southern State

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

#12 Shalyn Greenhaw: OH; 5' 11"; Junior; Muscatine / Illinois State

#18 Makenzie Bouse: S; 5' 7"; Freshman; Willard

#11 Jenna Bryan: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman; Illini West

#15 Mackenzie Steckler: MH/OH; 6' 0"; Freshman; St. Dominic

#2 Aleezah Washington: L/DS; 5' 8"; Freshman; Plainfield North

#14 Kayla Gresl: DS; 5' 6"; Freshman; Xavier

#24 Claire Grove: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman; Neuqua Valley

#17 Riley Schumacher: MH; 6' 1"; Freshman; St. Charles East

#19 Hannah Walker: S; 5' 9"; Freshman; Delton Kellogg

Players Mentioned

#23 Krishna Merriman
: 6' 1"; Senior; Pierce City / Missouri Southern State
: M/OH

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

#12 Shalyn Greenhaw
: 5' 11"; Junior; Muscatine / Illinois State
: OH

#18 Makenzie Bouse
: 5' 7"; Freshman; Willard
: S

#11 Jenna Bryan
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Illini West
: OH

#15 Mackenzie Steckler
: 6' 0"; Freshman; St. Dominic
: MH/OH

#2 Aleezah Washington
: 5' 8"; Freshman; Plainfield North
: L/DS

#14 Kayla Gresl
: 5' 6"; Freshman; Xavier
: DS

#24 Claire Grove
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Neuqua Valley
: OH

#17 Riley Schumacher
: 6' 1"; Freshman; St. Charles East
: MH

#19 Hannah Walker
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Delton Kellogg
: S