WHO | Western Illinois vs. North Dakota and North Dakota State

WHEN | Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 at. 1 p.m. 

WHERE | Macomb, Ill.

WATCH | North Dakota, North Dakota State 

LIVE STATS | Here

SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

FIRST SERVE | Western Illinois women's volleyball hosts their second consecutive weekend at home as they take on North Dakota and North Dakota State Friday (Nov. 1) and Sunday (Nov. 3). 

LAST TIME OUT | The Leathernecks notched their fourth sweep of the season Sunday (Oct. 26) defeating SDSU in Western Hall. Mackenzie Steckler who led the team with seven blocks in addition to 12 kills. As a team, the Leathernecks outplayed the Jackrabbits in every statistical category including kills 43-32 and blocks 11-9. Gabby DePersio and Madeline Dieter also stepped in to play major roles; DePersio with 17 digs and Dieter hitting at .583.

On Friday (Oct. 24), Western Illinois took the number three in Summit League standings Purdue Fort Wayne to an exciting five sets. Two Leathernecks notched double-doubles in the five-set match Aubrey Putman with career-high 14 kills and 10 digs and Cassie Hunt with 22 assists and 11 digs. Just shy, Steckler got an impressive 11 blocks in addition to her nine kills.

STOPPED BY STECKLER | As a team, the Leathernecks have only been out-blocked by five of their opponents in the 2019 season. With a total of 178.5 blocks on the season so far, a season-high for the team came against Mississippi State were the team totaled 28 blocks, Steckler, alone, out-blocking the opponent with 12. After the sweep over SDSU, she is number one in every blocking category including rising to first in the Summit League for blocks per set (1.44), solo blocks (18), and total blocks (117). Nationally Steckler's blocking performance places her at ninth in total blocks and 16th in blocks per set among NCAA Division I players. 

ROCKY'S ROOKIES | Western Illinois has added five new players to its volleyball roster this 2109 season with four freshmen and one transfer. Two rookies leading the way for WIU are DePersio with 268 digs and Jessie Connell with 416 assists as well as 33 aces. Jo Jo Kruize joining the team for her final season has made major impact for the Leathernecks with 159 kills thus far. Also making an impact both Elle Shult and Putman have seen success so far this season. Putman with 175 digs (second on the team) and 113 kills and Shult with 92 kills and 47 blocks.

DOUBLE THE WINS | With the victory Sunday, WIU volleyball doubled its win total from last year. The six wins are highlighted by Evansville, South Dakota State, and Oral Roberts. Four out of the six matches were won in three sets the other two victories were both battled out to five. With three weekends remaining in regular season play the Leathernecks will look to extend the margin from the 2018 season.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS | The Hawks are led by head coach Jeremiah Tiffin in his first year for North Dakota. North Dakota posting a 10-14 record in the 2019 season with a 2-8 conference performance. The Hawks currently sit at seventh in the Summit League looking to move to sixth to secure their spot in the Summit League Championship. The team is led by Ashley Brueggeman with 278 kills, Peyton Sewell with 438 assists, and Darian Chwialkowski with 270 digs.  

SCOUTING THE BISON | The Bison are led by Jennifer Lopez. The former NDSU standout was named head coach in October of 2017. In her second season as head coach, she has worked toward a 10-12 record overall and sit fifth in the league with a 5-5 league record. NDSU is led by Alexis Bachmeier with leading stats in both offense and defense with 246 kills and 248 digs.

THINK PINK | October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Western Illinois volleyball will be collecting throughout October for the Linda's Fund here in Macomb. Think Pink T-shirts and ribbons will be available for sale at all home games in October at the marketing promotions table.

JERSEY NIGHT | Friday (Nov. 1) Western Illinois volleyball will be hosting a Jersey Night. All fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Jersey. WIU jerseys will also be available for purchase and there will be a chance to win a worn WIU volleyball jersey.

FREE PIZZA | Come get lunch at Sunday's (Nov. 3) game. There will be a slice of pizza available to all WIU students with a student ID card. Students will also have a chance to participate in a Big Foot Serving Challenge.

LOOKING AHEAD | After the two-week home stretch, WIU volleyball will hit the road for the final time in the 2019 regular season where they will take on Oral Roberts and Omaha Friday (Nov. 8) and Sunday (Nov. 11).