MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois volleyball honored its seniors in the final match of the season on Sunday (Nov. 17) in a 3-0 defeat to the Denver Pioneers. 

Mackenzie Steckler started her final game in Western Hall with a solo block for the first point of the opening set. The Leathernecks followed that up with three-consecutive service aces from Cassie Hunt for a 5-0 advantage and an early Pioneer timeout. WIU led 15-14, before a Denver scored the final 11 points to take the first set.

JoJo Kruize began the second set with a kill, but Denver still controlled the lead early. The Leathernecks put up a late stand but ultimately dropped the secon set, 25-17. 

Western stayed within striking distance in se three thanks to the offensive efforts of Mariah Mitchell. Denver pulled away to claim the third set, 25-21 and the match, 3-0 despite a Leatherneck push at set point.

Mariah Mitchell led the team with eight kills and Gabby DePersio notched nine digs.

Western Illinois will graduate three seniors this season including Steckler, Kruize and Schumacher. Steckler finalized her career as a nationally ranked blocker with 146 blocks on the year, 206 career blocks and 395 career kills. Kruize joined the team this year and finished with 264 kills and 211 digs. Schumacher participated all four years while totaling 194 kills and 121 blocks over her career.

Western Illinois ended the 2019 season by doubling its win total from 2018.