Volleyball Returns Home Against Fort Wayne

Leathernecks look to tie up season series and win back-to-back matches

MATCH TWENTY-SIX
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs. FORT WAYNE MASTODONS
Nov. 7, 2017 • 6 p.m. CT • WESTERN HALL

LIVE STATS: HERE
2017 QUICK FACTS
2017 RECORD BOOK

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois volleyball team (7-18) returns home on Tuesday (Nov. 7) for a 6 p.m. match inside Western Hall against Fort Wayne (11-17). This will be the second meeting between the teams this season, as the Leathernecks look to win back-to-back matches.

A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
The Leathernecks are coming off of a 3-1 win in Brookings, S.D. against South Dakota State, giving Western Illinois a season sweep over the Jackrabbits. In the match, two Leathernecks recorded double-doubles: Melanie Patenaude (11 kills and 13 digs) and Shalyn Greenhaw (10 kills and 20 digs).

Mackenzie Steckler's 207 kills and 2.92 kills per set leads the team offensively this season, and she also is a force on the defensive side of the net, registering a team-high 89 blocks. Emilee Dechant's 80 total blocks is second on the team.

Also defensively, Claire Grove has notched 365 digs on the season, good for 4.06 per set. Greenhaw will be closing in on a 200-kill season against Fort Wayne, as she will only need nine kills to eclipse that mark.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Steckler earned her first-career honor for her performance against South Dakota State (Nov. 4). The middle hitter recorded 10 kills on 13 total attacks for a spectacular hitting percentage of .692. She also notched two service aces in the four-set match and defensively, recorded five total blocks.

AMONG THE TOP:
Several members of the Purple and Gold are among the 'top 5' in different statistical categories among The Summit League. Steckler's .331 hitting percentage is third in the League. She has also compiled .96 blocks per set, which is fifth among Summit League players.

Grove's 365 digs and 4.06 digs per set are each fifth in the conference, respectively. Jaime Johnson's 8.18 assists per set are also fifth in the conference.

SCOUTING THE MASTODONS:
Fort Wayne comes into the match on a six-match skid. Their last match win came against South Dakota State on Oct. 14. Nicole Rightnowar, who has recorded 342 kills (3.59 per set), leads the Mastodons. Defensively, Elizabeth Britner has logged 401 digs (3.82) per set. The last time the two teams competed against each other was Oct. 8, when Fort Wayne captured the match 3-0.

UP NEXT:
The Leathernecks finish the season at home against North Dakota State and Denver on Nov. 10 (5 p.m.) and Nov. 12 (1 p.m.), respectively.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Emilee Dechant: MH/RS; 6' 2"; Junior; Trinity Catholic

#12 Shalyn Greenhaw: OH; 5' 11"; Senior; Muscatine

#8 Claire Grove: DS/LIB; 5' 11"; Sophomore; Neuqua Valley

#7 Melanie Patenaude: OH; 5' 10"; Junior; Cherry Creek

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

#5 Jaime Johnson: S; 5' 8"; Junior; Centennial

Players Mentioned

#21 Emilee Dechant
: 6' 2"; Junior; Trinity Catholic
: MH/RS

#12 Shalyn Greenhaw
: 5' 11"; Senior; Muscatine
: OH

#8 Claire Grove
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; Neuqua Valley
: DS/LIB

#7 Melanie Patenaude
: 5' 10"; Junior; Cherry Creek
: OH

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

#5 Jaime Johnson
: 5' 8"; Junior; Centennial
: S