MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois volleyball team welcomes in-state rival Eastern Illinois to Macomb for its the home opener on Tuesday (Sept. 6) at 7 p.m.
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SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Eastern (1-6) is fresh off its first win of the season, a 3-0 victory over Jackson State on Sept. 3. The Panthers are led by Maria Brown, who has compiled a team-leading 52 kills and 67 digs. EIU returns three starters from the team that finished tied for second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 16-15 overall record last season. The Panthers are coached by Samantha Wolinski, who is in her second year at the helm of the program.
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SERIES HISTORY: The Panthers and Leathernecks have an extensive history, as Tuesday marks the 42nd meeting between the programs. Eastern holds the all-time series lead, 27-14. The two teams last met on Sept. 5, 2014 where Western dropped a 3-2 decision at home. The Leathernecks have not beaten the Panthers since Sept. 5, 2008.
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A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS: Western is 0-6 on the young season. Greenhaw leads the team with 71 kills (3.09 per set) and ranks second on the team with 61 digs and 15 total blocks. Defensively, Kaili Simmons leads the way with 77 digs and Lexi Kolschefski has compiled 21 blocks. Abby Skryd has picked up 103 assists.
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LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks traveled to Iowa City, Iowa for the Hawkeye Classic this past weekend (Sept. 2-3). After dropping the first two sets to Iowa (25-12, 25-8), Western won set three 25-23 to force set four where they ultimately fell 25-12. After dropping the opening set to Oakland 25-23, WIU bounced back to take sets two and three (27-25, 25-10). The Leathernecks battled in the final two sets but the Golden Grizzlies took them 25-17 and 16-14. Freshman Hannah Walker (18 assists, 10 digs) and Claire Grove (11 kills, 13 digs) recorded their first career double-doubles. Western closed out invitational play on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to Butler.
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UP AHEAD: Western Illinois hits the road for the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, Mo. on Sept. 9-10. The Leathernecks take on Green Bay, McNeese State and plays host to Missouri State.
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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.
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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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