DAYTON, OHIO – The Western Illinois women's volleyball team hung with the Toledo Rockets in its first match of the Wright State Invitational Friday (Sep. 13). And despite, many back and forth scoring sequences, the Leathernecks were ultimately unable to pick up a set and fell in three (25-20, 25-19, 25-18).

"Individually the student-athletes did some great things tonight with both Riley and Aubrey having career-nights," said coach Ben Staupe. "Toledo was extremely efficient on offense and we started playing too late in the game."

In the three sets, Mariah Mitchell led the team with 10 kills closely followed by Aubrey Putman with a career-high nine. Riley Schumacher tied her career-high with six kills. 

Schumacher and Putman also guided Western in hitting percentage with a .417 and .400, respectively.

When the Leathernecks did not have the lead, they kept the score within two points at the beginning of all three sets.

WIU took an early 8-4 edge in the first, propelled by a well-rounded offensive effort by Jessie Connell. The freshman contributed four assists during the stretch and finished the game with a team-high 15. 

The set hung in the balance at 24-15, when Western rallied for a 5-0 run. 

The second frame was just as contentious as Toledo held a 15-12 advantage, and although the Leathernecks never rebounded, they again pulled within to close things at 25-20. 

The third set started much like the second, an in and out battle, favoring the Rockets at 14-10. With Elle Shult behind the line, a service ace set the score at 19-15, Western trailing, and the point sparked another 3-0 rally for the Leathernecks' final points of the game.

The Leathernecks return to action Saturday (Sept. 14) to compete in the final two games of the Wright State Invitational. First, they will take on the hosts, Wright State, at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+, followed by the Indiana State Sycamores at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN3.