Leathernecks Face First Road Tests At UAB Invitational

Western will face Charleston Southern, Austin Peay and UAB in Second Tournament Of The Season

WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at UAB Blazer Invitational
September 2, 2017 • 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. • September 3, 2017 • 12 p.m. • Birmingham, Alabama

Social Media: @WIUVolleyball
Live Stats: HERE
Opponent Websites: UAB | Austin Peay | Charleston Southern

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois Volleyball will be on the road in Birmingham, Alabama for the UAB Blazer Invitational for its second weekend and tournament of the season. While UAB is hosting it, Charleston Southern and Austin Peay will both be competing. The Leathernecks' first two matches will be on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. against Charleston and Austin Peay at 3 p.m. Western closes out the tournament on Sept. 3 at noon against UAB.

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
Western comes off a 2-1 finish in the 2017 Hampton Inn Leatherneck invitational, with wins over Chicago State and Manhattan. The Leathernecks took their first match of the season in five sets over the Jaspers and rode the momentum into Saturday, taking their first match of the day in straight sets over the Cougars. Western went back and forth with Evansville, but was edged out in the fifth set.

The Purple and Gold were led by freshman Emma Norris, Claire Grove and Mackenzie Steckler the first weekend of the season. Norris and Steckler were both named to the All-Tournament team. Norris recorded double-doubles in all three of the matches as she recorded 48 kills, 3.69 a set, and 60 digs throughout the weekend. Steckler logged 30 kills, five digs and 12 total blocks on the weekend. Grove documented 70 digs for the Leathernecks over the weekend, which leads the Summit League.

SCOUTING THE BLAZERS:
The Blazers enter the weekend 0-3 with losses against Boston College, Fairfield and Providence and were part of the Boston College Tournament. UAB was able to take two from both Providence and Fairfield but lost to Boston College 3-1. Kerry Messersmith, who enters her 11th season at the helm of the UAB program, leads the Blazers.

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS:
Charleston Southern comes off a weekend in which it went 0-3, losses to Western Carolina, Jacksonville State, Towson, all part of the Western Carolina Tournament. The Buccaneers also dropped their midweek match to College of Charleston, 3-0. Christy Mooberry enters her five year as the Head Coach for the Buccaneers.

SCOUTING THE GOVENORS:
Austin Peay comes into the weekend boasting a 3-1 record with victories over UMKC, Marshall and Missouri, with its only loss coming against Northern Iowa. The Governors played host to the tournament, and like the Leathernecks, will face their first road test of the season. Offensively, Ashley Slay leads the way for Austin Peay with 69 kills, while defensively, Ginny Gerig leads the team with 80 digs.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The UAB Blazer Invitational kicks off a seven game road trip for the Leathernecks with a battle in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Sept. 4 against Southeast Missouri State following the trip to Birmingham. The Purple and Gold travel to Charleston, Ill for the EIU Panther Invite (Sept. 8-9) and then back home against St. Louis on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#24 Emma Norris: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman; Iowa City West

Players Mentioned

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

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

#24 Emma Norris
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Iowa City West
: OH

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Players Mentioned

#8 Claire Grove

#15 Mackenzie Steckler

#24 Emma Norris

Players Mentioned

#8 Claire Grove

#15 Mackenzie Steckler

#24 Emma Norris