Volleyball Opens Season With Exhibition Against SIU

Leathernecks begin season with lone exhibition on Wednesday

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois volleyball kicks off the 2017 season with an exhibition at Southern Illinois (Aug. 16) at 3 p.m.

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
The volleyball team brings back five of six starters from the 2016 campaign and adds five newcomers to the roster including four freshman and a lone transfer.

The team returns its top seven kill leaders from last season, led by Shalyn Greenhaw who recorded 291 in 2016 and 2.97 per set, followed by Melanie Patenaude (195), Lexi Kolschefski (118), Riley Schumacher (115), Claire Grove (112), Emilee Dechant (87) and Shiah Sanders (86). Patenaude, who was also second in sets played last season. Claire Grove returns, who recorded 217 digs, which was good for third best on the team.

Hannah Walker and Makenzie Bouse are welcomed back to the Leatherneck roster after finishing second and third in assists on the team last year with 217 and 130.

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS:
Southern Illinois finished the 2016 campaign with a 21-12 overall record, which included a bid to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The fourth seeded Salukis went on to fall 3-0 to Illinois State in the opening round of the conference tournament.

The Salukis welcome back kill leader Andrea Estrada, who recorded 358 kills along with 33 service aces, also good for best on the team. The team welcomes back three starters from last year and eight newcomers. The Salukis lose Mariana Pilon, who led the team in digs last season with 453 and 3.65 per set.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Leathernecks open the regular season slate against Manhattan on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. in Western Hall, which is part of the 2017 Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational. The Purple and Gold host two tournaments this season, the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational (Aug. 25-26) and the Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational (Sept. 15-16). The team begins its Summit League season with a bout at South Dakota (Sep. 22). The team caps of its regular season schedule with a match against Denver (Nov. 12) in Western Hall.

Tweet #W1U

#WIUGAMEDAY INFORMATION

Western Illinois
vs.
Southern Illinois
Exhibition

WHEN AND WHERE:
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 3 p.m. (CT)
Carbondale, Ill.

OPPONENT WEBSITE
siusalukis.com

COVERAGE

LIVE STATS:
NONE

SOCIAL MEDIA

TWITTER:
@WIUVolleyball
@WIUAthletics

FACEBOOK:
Western Illinois Athletics

INSTAGRAM:
Western Illinois Athletics

PRESEASON INFORMATION

2017 Preseason Quick Facts (.PDF)
2017-18 Preseason Record Book (.PDF)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#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

#16 Lexi Kolschefski: MH; 6' 3"; Junior; La Habra

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

#3 Shiah Sanders: RS; 6' 0"; Junior; Osseo

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

#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

#16 Lexi Kolschefski
: 6' 3"; Junior; La Habra
: MH

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

#3 Shiah Sanders
: 6' 0"; Junior; Osseo
: RS

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

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