Leathernecks Back At Home Against Saint Louis

Western plays host to the Billikens.

MATCH ELEVEN
Volleyball: Saint Louis at WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS
September 12, 2017 • 6 pm • Macomb, Ill. • Western Hall

LIVE STATS: HERE

Western Illinois: 2017 QUICK FACTS
Saint Louis: 2017 QUICK FACTS

MACOMB, Ill.- Leatherneck volleyball returns home to Western Hall on Sept. 12 against St. Louis (0-9) after completing a seven-match road trip. The match will also be Family Day, an event that will include free chocolate milkshakes to the first 100 fans, an Inaugural Sock Hop between the second and third sets and post-game poster signing. First serve is set for 6 p.m.

A LOOK AT YOUR LEATHERNECKS:
The Purple and Gold compete on its home court for the first time since Aug. 26 when the program hosted the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational. The road trip included stops in Birmingham, Ala., Cape Girardeau, Mo. and most recently, Charleston, Ill.

The team comes into the match against the Billikins with a hot hand, winning both matches on Sept. 8 in straight sets. The Leathernecks blanked both Alabama A&M and host Eastern Illinois, claiming runner-up in the EIU Panther Invitational. Lone senior Shalyn Greenhaw led the way for Western on the weekend, as she totaled 39 kills (3.9 kills per set), 50 digs (five digs per set) and 10 blocks (one block per set). Greenhaw and Emma Norris, team leader in kills (118), were named to the All-Tournament team. Emilee Dechant put together a strong defensive weekend performance logging 20 total blocks (two blocks per set).

AMONG THE TOP:
The Leathernecks remain among the top of The Summit League leaders, as Western owns six places in the 'Top 5' in different categories.

Norris is third in the league in kills with 118, and Greenhaw is fifth with 106. Claire Grove is second in total digs with 174 and third in digs per set, averaging 4.46. Mackenzie Steckler is hitting at a .310 clip for third place in the conference. Jaime Johnson is averaging 9.21 assists per set, a pace that is fourth among The Summit League.

SCOUTING THE BILLIKINS:
St. Louis comes in to the match 0-9, most recently falling at the University Plaza Holiday Inn Invitational in Bowling Green, Ky. The Billikins dropped matches to Pittsburgh, East Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. Nenye Okoro leads St. Louis with 91 kills (2.82 kills per set) on the offensive side and Mackenzie Long leads defensively, with 97 total digs. Lauren Mershon tallies 21 total blocks.

LOOKING AHEAD:
After the midweek bout, the Leathernecks host their second and final tournament of the season, the Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational. Valparaiso, McNeese and Drake will all be competing in Western Hall over the two-day tournament, a tournament that will be held on Sept.15-16. The Leathernecks will play the Crusaders at noon on Sept. 15, the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. and conclude the tournament against the Cowgirls at 9 a.m.

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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

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

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

#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

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

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

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