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Mackenzie Steckler
George Hartmann

Volleyball Plays Host To Leatherneck Invitational To Open 2018

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks welcome Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee Tech and Evansville

Tournament Central

MACOMB, Ill. – The Leatherneck volleyball team opens its 2018 campaign playing host to the 2018 Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational on Aug. 24-25. Western Illinois will welcome Tennessee Tech, Evansville and Fairleigh Dickinson to Western Hall and will compete against each of the squads over the two-day span. The Purple and Gold begin its season on Friday (Aug. 24) at 7 p.m. against Fairleigh Dickinson and continue the slate on Saturday (Aug. 25) at 2 p.m. against Tennessee Tech and 7 p.m. versus Evansville.
 
FRESH FACES:
The squad features six freshmen on the roster and a first-year head coach. Alaina Kline (Pecatonia, Ill.), Mariah Mitchell (Wapello, Iowa), Kaylee Woodard (Monmouth, Ill.), Erika Moore (Bloomington, Ill.), Kennedy Drewis (Tripoli, Iowa) and Madeline Dieter (Plainfield, Ill.) make up the 2018 freshman class. Ben Staupe takes over the helm of the program after eight seasons on the staff at University of Wisconsin- Whitewater.
 
RETURNING LEATHERNECKS:
Western Illinois returns 13 players from a year ago, including five starters. Earlier this month, the Summit League recognized Jaime Johnson and Mackenzie Steckler as preseason 'Players to Watch' in the league. After her efforts in 2017, Steckler was named to the Summit League's 'All-League Honorable Mention' list. Johnson led the Leathernecks with 803 assists in her first year in a Western Illinois uniform. On the defensive side of the court, Claire Grove returns after leading the Leathernecks in digs (403) and digs per set (4.15) in 2017.
 
The senior class is the smallest on the roster and features Johnson, Shiah Sanders and Melanie Patenaude. Hannah Walker, Riley Schumacher, Grove, Aleezah Washington and Shaela Gray round out the junior class for the squad, while Emma Norris, Jovana Bulatovic, Steckler, Cassie Hunt and Abby Knoop represent the sophomores.
 
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS:
Fairleigh Dickinson comes into the 2018 season after going 5-24 in 2017, a season that included wins against Saint Peter's, Quinnipiac and St. Francis Brooklyn. The Knights are led by Andrea Nolan, who is in her second season as head coach. Fairleigh Dickinson returners a trio of starters this year, including sophomore Magdalena Maksimovic, who led the team with 207 kills last season.
 
SCOUTING THE PURPLE ACES:
Manolo Concepcion leads the Evansville squad in 2018 for his sixth season at the helm. The Purple Aces were 10-20 in 2017 and return Rachel Tam, who led the squad with 306 kills, and Allana McInnis, who recorded a team-high 836 assists.
 
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES:
Tennessee enters the Leatherneck Invitational with a blank slate after finishing the 2017 season with a 4-24 mark. The Golden Eagles enter the 2018 slate with a young roster that includes eight freshmen. Head coach Jeannette Waldo enters her first season guiding the Golden Eagles after serving on the staff at Missouri State. Tennessee Tech welcomes back Kirsten Brugere, who recorded a team-high 383 digs, and Rachel Thomas, who led the Golden Eagles with 73 total blocks.
 
NEXT SERVE:
The Leathernecks travel to Peoria, Ill. for the CEFCU Invitational hosted by Bradley. WIU will begin the tournament against Bradley on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. The Purple and Gold will then play two matches on Saturday, Sept. 1. The team will compete at 1 p.m. against George Washington and at 5 p.m. versus Toledo.
 
 
 
 
 
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