MATCH EIGHTEEN
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs SOUTH DAKOTA STATE JACKRABBITS
Oct. 6, 2017 •  7 p.m. CT  • Macomb, Ill. •  Western HallÂ
LIVE STATS:Â HERE
FIGHTING LEATHERNECK ALL-ACCESS:Â
HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK
MATCH NINETEEN
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at FORT WAYNE MASTODONS
Oct. 8, 2017 • 1 p.m. CT  • Fort Wayne, Ind.  •  Hilliard Gates Sports CenterÂ
LIVE STATS:Â
HERE
MACOMB, Ill.-Â The Leatherneck volleyball team (5-12) is featured in two matches this weekend (Oct. 6 and Oct. 8) against South Dakota State and Fort Wayne, respectively. Western kicks off the pair of matches at home against the Jackrabbits (2-15) before traveling east to Fort Wayne (8-11). First serve is set for 7 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
Western comes off of a seven-day stretch in which the Leathernecks did not compete in a match. The Purple and Gold look to stop a seven-game skid and rebound against the Jackrabbits. Western Illinois is averaging 16.5 digs per set thus far, along with 71 aces. The Leathernecks have recorded 30 solo blocks this season, allowing opposing teams only 26. Western has also logged 226 block assists, leading its opposing teams by 18.
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Offensively, the team is led by Mackenzie Steckler, Emma Norris and Shalyn Greenhaw. Steckler has a team-high 156 kills and is hitting at an incredible .345 clip. Norris is not far behind with 155 kills, and Greenhaw has an impressive 150 thus far. Jaime Johnson leads the team with 589 assists, which is good for 8.79 assists per set.
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On the defensive side of the net, the Leathernecks are led by Claire Grove with 283 digs (4.49 per set), followed by Greenhaw with 221 total digs. Emilee Dechant is featured in the middle as she leads the team with 57 block assists. Steckler is also impressive defensively, as she leads the team with 13 solo blocks and in total blocks with 66.
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AMONG THE TOP:
The Leathernecks remained featured in the 'Top 5' in many statistical categories around the Summit League. Grove is third in the conference in digs per set with 4.49 and fourth in total digs with 283. Steckler's .345 hitting percentage is third-best in The Summit League, and Johnson's 8.70 assists per set are fifth.
SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS:
The Jackrabbits come into Friday's bout with a 2-15 record, losing their last four matches. South Dakota State is eighth in The Summit League and led by head coach Nicole Cirillo, who is in her fourth year at South Dakota State. Mackenzie Hennen leads the Jackrabbits offensively with 133 kills, followed by Ashlynn Smith with 131 kills. Mattison Munger has logged 338 assists, best on the team.
SCOUTING THE MASTODONS:
Fort Wayne comes into the weekend on a five-game skid, and the Mastodons are looking for their first Summit League victory of the season. At the helm of the program is Steve Florio, who is in his fourth season. Nicole Rightnowar is second in The Summit League with 248 kills and 3.35 kills per set. Natalie Seiler averages a block per set, which is tied for fourth in the conference. Assisting Rightnowar is Madison Jaqua, who has a total of 617 assists.
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SERIES HISTORY:
Against the Jackrabbits, Western is down 16-6 all time with the latest match coming Nov. 5, 2016. That match went five sets with the Jackrabbits taking the contest.
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Fort Wayne leads the Leathernecks, 17-5, with the last match taking place on Oct. 21, 2016. The Mastodons won the match in straight sets.
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LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks' schedule features a heavy road slate, as Western travels to Denver and North Dakota State, on Oct. 13 and 15, respectively. According to Google Maps, the trip will include 2,434 travel miles, the most the volleyball team will tackle in a three-day span this season.
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