Seniors Leave Western Hall with Final Win

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

George Hartmann

Box Score

South Dakota State SDSU 6-23 (3-14)

Western Illinois WIU1 3-26 (2-14)

South Dakota State SDSU

6-23 (3-14)

Final

Nov. 11, 2018

Western Illinois WIU1

3-26 (2-14)

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	F
South Dakota State SDSU	18	25	15	23	(1)
Western Illinois WIU1	25	12	25	25	(3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | Sunday, November 11, 2018

Melanie Patenaude, Jaime Johnson, Shiah Sanders and Shaela Gray guided Western to a 3-1 victory over SDSU in the final match of their collegiate career.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois University volleyball team concluded its 2018 season Sunday (Nov. 11) in the same manner in which it began – with a victory. The Leathernecks shined in a 3-1 decision over South Dakota State that included a eight-point comeback in the final set, as seniors Melanie Patenaude, Jaime Johnson, Shiah Sanders, and Shaela Gray played in their final match in purple and gold.

"We've been playing our best volleyball the last seven to eight matches and to culminate the season with a win only strengthens that momentum. I'm excited to see what the future holds for the program and our seniors," said head coach Ben Staupe.

After trading early points, Western ignited for a 6-0 run to distance itself, 17-10, in the first set.

The Jackrabbits maintained an edge the entire second set to even things at 1-1, but the third and fourth frames belonged to Western, as set three captured a 10-point win (25-10) and the final displayed high emotion.

The Leathernecks trailed, 14-6, in set four before rallying for four unanswered points. Mackenzie Steckler was credited with either a solo block or block assist during the stretch, and a few points later, she stood behind the line to serve as her teammates posted another 6-0 run.

The rally included three assisted blocks by Sanders and a 19-17 advantage for Western.

There were five ties before the match settled at 23-all as Patenaude closed the season with a pair of kills. The senior finished the afternoon with eight kills and nine digs, while Johnson added five digs, Sanders 10 kills and six block assists and Gray two kills.

Madeline Deiter guided the team with a game-high 11 kills.

"Not a lot of team or athletes get to win the last match of their career, but I'm proud of the great team effort today that allowed the seniors to walk away with a win."

Print Friendly Version