MATCH TWENTY-TWO
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs. SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES
Oct. 20, 2017 • 7 p.m. CT  • Macomb, Ill.Â
LIVE STATS:Â HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK
MATCH TWENTY-THREE
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES
Oct. 22, 2017 • 1 p.m. CT  • Macomb, Ill.
LIVE STATS:Â HERE
MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois volleyball team (6-15) heads back to Western Hall this weekend for the first time since Oct. 6. The Leathernecks will compete in two matches over the weekend, with the first bout coming against the South Dakota Coyotes (11-8) on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. and the second being played as a Sunday matinee(Oct. 22) at 1 p.m. against Oral Roberts (9-10).
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A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
During the 14-day hiatus from Macomb, the Leathernecks have traveled to Fort Wayne, Denver and Fargo. Western fell in each contest on the road, but the last time they competed in Western Hall, the team played with a zephyr at their back and it propelled them to a 3-2 victory over South Dakota State.
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On the attacking side of the net, the Leathernecks continue to be led by Mackenzie Steckler, who tops the team in kills (186) and hitting percentage, (.332). Jaime Johnson shines setting the ball, logging 688 assists, which averages to 8.49 per set.
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Defensively, Claire Grove has a team-high 341 digs (4.43 per set), with Shalyn Greenhaw recording 243 (3.42 per set). Freshman Emma Norris is third on the team with 196 digs. Steckler leads the team with 80 total blocks (1.0 per set), while Emilee Dechant has blocked 70 opponent attacks.
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AMONG THE TOP:
Grove, Steckler and Johnson remain in the 'Top 5' in many categories in The Summit League. Grove's dig numbers (341 digs, 4.43 per set) puts her third in total digs and fourth in digs per set, respectively. Steckler's 1.0 blocks per set and .332 hitting percentage are both third in the conference. Johnson's 8.49 assists per set is good for fifth among Summit League players.
SCOUTING THE COYOTES:
South Dakota comes into the match 11-8 (5-2), tied for third in conference. The Coyotes place two players in the 'Top 5' in The Summit League in kills per set with Rachel Smith recording 3.33 and Hayley Dotseth compiling 3.29. The Coyotes offense also features Brittany Jessen, whose 10.51 assists per set are first in The Summit League.
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The last time the Leathernecks and Coyotes competed was Sept. 22, when the match went five sets, but the Coyotes came away with the victory in Vermillion, S.D.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES:
Oral Roberts comes into the match in first place in The Summit League with a 6-1 record in conference play. The Golden Eagles are led by Laura Milos, who is first in The Summit League and third in the nation in kills per set with 5.16. Her 356 total kills are also first in the conference along with her .42 service aces per set. Sheera Sirola is at the helm of the program and has served the Oral Roberts coaching staff since 1998.
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The last time the Leathernecks and Golden Eagles played against each other was Sept. 24, when the Leathernecks lost 3-1 in Tulsa, Okla.
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LOOKING AHEAD:
After Oral Roberts, the Leathernecks travel to Omaha and South Dakota State for their last road slate before the conference tournament in Denver. Western finishes the regular season with three home matches against Fort Wayne, North Dakota State and Denver.
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