WHO | Western Illinois vs. Omaha and Oral Roberts

WHEN | Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 at. 1 p.m.

WHERE | Macomb, Ill.

WATCH |  Omaha, Oral Roberts

LIVE STATS |  Here

SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

FIRST SERVE | Western Illinois women's volleyball hosts its first Summit League weekend of 2019 in Western Hall as they take on Omaha Friday (Oct. 11) and Oral Roberts Sunday (Oct. 13).

STAUPE SAYS | "We are looking forward to playing in Western Hall in front of our fans and the community this weekend," said head coach Ben Staupe. "We are facing two very good opponents this weekend so it will be very fun volleyball to come out and watch." 

LAST TIME OUT | Friday (Oct. 6) in Grand Forks, the Leathernecks took on North Dakota, highlighted by an errorless performance from Mackenzie Steckler. Western was able to take the third set with an impressive 11-1 run concluded by a block from Elle Shult and Riley Schumacher. The Leathernecks ultimately fell 3-1, despite strong performances from JoJo Kruize with 19 kills and Gabby DePersio added 20 digs.

Following Friday night's performance Western Illinois took on North Dakota State, yet again out-blocking their opponent five blocks to NDSU's four. The team was also able to notch five aces led by setters Jessie Connell and Cassie Hunt both with two. WIU ultimately fell in three but, the Leatherneck efforts were led by Mariah Michell with 11 kills and Abby Knoop recording a .750 hitting average.

STOPPED BY STECKLER | 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 131 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. Steckler currently sits at first in the league for total blocks this season with 83 blocks as well as placing third for blocks per set.

Steckler continued her stellar blocking performance to be ranked eighth in total blocks and 14th 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 219 digs and Connell with 327 assists as well as 27 aces. Kruize joining the team for her final season has made major impact for the Leathernecks with 138 kills thus far. Also making an impact both Shult and Aubrey Putman have seen success so far this season. Putman with 144 digs (second on the team) and 79 kills and Shult with 73 kills and 36.2 blocks.

SETTERS BACK TO SERVE | Aside from both racking up assists in their 6-2 offensive system, Western's setters have found a way to score additional points for the Leathernecks behind the service line. Against North Dakota State Sunday (Oct. 6), both setters were able to rack up two additional aces aiding the team in out-serving the Bison. Connell leading the team and second in the league in service aces this season with 27. Hunt follows close behind with 21 aces falling at sixth in the league. 

SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS | The Mavericks are led by head coach Matt Buttermore in his first year at Omaha. The team is 9-9 overall and 2-2 in league play, Omaha's latest match against South Dakota resulting in a 3-2 loss. Leading in statistics for Omaha volleyball is Isabella Sade with 245 kills, Claire Mountjoy with 342 digs and Sami Clarkson with 502 assists. Historically, Western has a 4-8 record against Omaha.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES | The Golden Eagles are led by head coach Sheera Sirola in her 16th season with Oral Roberts. They are currently 6-12 this season, 2-2 in league play, with their last game against South Dakota State ending in a 3-1 victory. Their roster is highlighted by performances by CeCe Madison 289, Sarah Thiessen 314 and Sylvia Lawson 671. The last time the Leathernecks faced the Golden Eagles, they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 result. 

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.

SAFE SPACE SIGN-UP |In celebration of National Coming Out Day on Friday, stop by the marketing promotions table to sign up for safe space training. The purpose of Western's Safe Space program is to allow faculty, staff, and administrators to identify themselves as allies to gay, lesbian, trans* and bisexual students and colleagues. Students who see the Safe Space decal will know they are entering an environment where they can be free to share the issues they may be facing. Sign-up is also available online here.

YOUTH DAY | Sunday will be volleyball's youth day and camper reunion involving youth organizations. There will be pizza available in the Hall of Fame room from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. for youth fans. Autographs will be available after the game.

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).