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

WHEN | Friday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6 at. 1 p.m.

WHERE | Grand Forks, N.D. & Fargo N.D.

WATCH | North Dakota, North Dakota State

Live Stats | North Dakota, North Dakota State

Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

FIRST SERVE | Western Illinois women's volleyball starts its second week of Summit League play with the final weekend before its League home opener against North Dakota Friday (Oct. 4) and North Dakota State (Oct. 6).

STAUPE SAYS | " Going into this weekend, we would love to see the student-athletes build off the momentum that we created on Sunday," said coach Ben Staupe. "We need to keep focusing on our side of the net, lower our errors, increase our efficiency. Playing in the highly competitive Summit League we will have a chance against almost every opponent if we take care of our errors."

LAST TIME OUT | Western Illinois is currently 1-1 in league play after splitting their first week, highlighted by a five-set comeback victory over South Dakota State. Starting down the first two sets, WIU turned it around in a close third set followed by an impressive 25-11 win in the fourth. With consecutive points out of the hands of Cassie Hunt, the Leathernecks were able to gain an advantage in the fifth that they were able to complete for the second consecutive victory over SDSU.

Mariah Mitchell had an outstanding performance as she led the team with seven blocks and 14 kills. Three Leathernecks recorded double-doubles in the five-set match; Jessie Connell recording 23 assists, 13 digs along with JoJo Kruize recording 13 kills and 11 digs along with Hunt with 22 assists and 10 digs.

STOPPED BY STECKLER | Every Monday the NCAA comes out with team and individual national ranking. Finding herself among this list for the first time on Sept. 23 was Western's Steckler. She continues to rise in the national rankings in terms of total blocks per set currenntly sitting at 14th and is ranked 8th in total blocks.

As a team, the Leathernecks have only been out-blocked by three of their opponents thus far in the 2019 season. With a total of 124 blocks on the season so far, a season-high for the team came against Mississippi State were the team totaled 28 blocks, Seckler, alone, out blocking the opponent with 12. Steckler currently sits at first in the league for total blocks this season with 81 blocks as well as placing second for blocks per set with 1.5.

ROCKY'S ROOKIES | Western Illinois has added five new players to its volleyball roster this year with four freshmen and one transfer. Two rookies leading the way for WIU are Gabby DePersio with 190 digs and Connell with 281 assists as well as 25 aces. Kruize joining the team for her final season has made major impact for the Leathernecks with 119 kills thus far. Making an impact both Shult and Putman have seen success so far this season. Putman with 124 digs (second on the team) and 59 kills and Shult with 62 kills and 30 blocks.

DEPERSIO DOES IT ALL | In her first year for the Leathernecks the McHenry, Ill. native has made a large impact on Western's squad. As a Libero, she is expected to run the back row so, with no surprise she leads the team in digs. Stepping in on out of system balls, within the normal rolls as a libero, she has 43 assists. Within the past two weekends, DePersio has started to use these out of system balls as an opportunity to stack her offensive stats as well. Sending the second ball ove she was able to find the floor 5 times so far this season joining the Leatherneck offense in an unexpected way.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS | The Hawks are led by head coach Jeremiah Tiffen in his first season. They are currently 8-8 on the season highlighted by performances from Ashley Brueggeman with 171 kills, Peyton Sewell 330 assists, and Darian Chwialkowski with 124 digs.

SCOUTING THE BISONS | The Bisons are led by head coach Jennifer Lopez in her third season with NDSU. They are currently 5-9 this season highlighted by performances from Alexis Bachmeier with 147 kills, Kelley Johnson 265 assists, and Kaylee Hanger with 166 digs.

LOOKING AHEAD | Following the weekend matches WIU will return home for the first time in over a month to host their first Summit League games of 2019 in Western Hall as they take on Omaha and Oral Roberts Friday (Oct. 11) and Sunday (Oct. 13).