Leathernecks Return Home Against Omaha

Western heads back to Macomb after 13 days to play host to first Summit League match

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois volleyball team returns to Western Hall Friday (Sept. 29) to host the Omaha Mavericks for its first home Summit League match. The Leathernecks began league play on the road for its their two matches, bout at South Dakota and Oral Roberts.

A LOOK AT THE LEATHERNECKS:
The Purple and Gold dropped its first two matches of Summit League play, a 3-2 heartbreaker at South Dakota in Vermilion, S.D. and a 3-1 defeat in Tulsa against Oral Roberts. Down 2-0 against South Dakota, the Leathernecks stormed back to force a fifth set, but were unable to win the match. Mackenzie Steckler led the match with 19 kills while Shalyn Greenhaw added 12 and Melanie Patenaude recorded 10. Greenhaw recorded a season-high 32 digs in the match, good for another double-double. Claire Grove added 15 digs.

Finding themselves down 2-0, Western fought hard against Oral Roberts, winning the third set, 25-19, but the Leathernecks dropped the fourth set. Western looks to bounce back at home, with the first match played in Western Hall in thirteen days.

AMONG THE TOP:
A host of Leathernecks remain in the 'Top 5' in many categories around the league. Grove has logged 252 digs and 4.27 digs per set, good for third and fourth, respectively, in the conference. Steckler has maintained her impressive hitting clip (.350), which is third overall in the Summit League. She also averages a block per set, tied for fifth in the Summit League. Junior Emilee Dechant is also tied for fifth in the Summit League with a block per set, her first appearance in the 'Top 5' thus far. Setter Jaime Johnson's 8.52 assists per set is fifth.

SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS:
The Omaha Mavericks come into the match 4-10 and led by 28-year coaching veteran Rose Shires. The Mavericks have just one Summit League match under their belt, a straight set win over South Dakota State. Offensively, Omaha is led by Bella Sade with 120 kills and Sydney O'Shaughnessy with 499 assists. Claire Mountjoy anchors the back line for the Mavericks with 228 digs thus far.

LOOKING AHEAD:
After their Homecoming weekend matchup, the Leathernecks have a week off and return to action next Friday, Oct. 6 at home against South Dakota State.

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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

#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

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