Who | Western Illinois vs. Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois, Middle Tennessee State

When | Friday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Where | Cookeville, Tenn.

Watch | vs. Tennessee Tech 

Live Stats | Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois, Middle Tennessee State

Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

FIRST SERVE | Western Illinois women's volleyball takes the road for their final tournament before conference play Friday (Sep. 20) in Cookeville, Tennessee home of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles where they will take on Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State.

STAUPE SAYS | "Again, we match up differently with all three of our opponents," said coach Ben Staupe. "If we continue doing what we have been doing, as far as, serving aggressively, continue to stop balls at the net and executing when we need to, we have a great chance with each of these teams."

LAST TIME OUT | The Leathernecks were on the road last weekend in Dayton, Ohio at the Wright State Invitational. The weekend started Friday against Toledo, with two Leathernecks with career performances, Riley Schumacher and Aubrey Putman. Schumacher tied her career record for the second time with six kills in the match. Putman registered a career-high nine kills in the match as well. WIU relied on their serving efforts in the second game to gain them points against the tough opponents in the second day this effort was led by freshman Jessie Connell. After the weekend, Putman was named to the All-Tournament team after a weekend where she had 20 kills and 25 digs highlighted by nine kills against Toledo and 13 digs versus Wright State.

STOPPED BY STECKLER | The Leathernecks have out-blocked four of their nine opponents thus far in the 2019 season. With a total of 66 blocks on the season so far, a season-high for the team came against Mississippi State were the team totaled 28 blocks, Mackenzie Steckler, alone, out blocking the opponent with 12. Steckler sits at first in the league for total blocks this season with 48 blocks as well as solo blocks with nine.

TWO LEATHERNECKS TO WATCH | The Summit League released a list of Preseason Players to Watch along with preseason rankings Wednesday (Aug. 21). Two WIU players, Steckler and Mitchell, found their names on the list. Last season, Steckler played in 27 matches to notch 155 kills, 104 blocks, and nine aces. Mitchell is a middle hitter for WIU, coming off of a freshman season where she achieved great success playing in 27 out of 29 total matches, notched 112 kills and 35 blocks.

ROCKY'S ROOKIES | Western Illinois has added five new players to its volleyball roster this year with four freshmen and one transfer. Kruize joining the team for her final season has made a huge impact leading the Leathernecks with 104 kills thus far. Another two rookies leading the way for WIU are Gabby DePersio with 118 digs and Connell with 182 assists as well as 17 aces. Making an impact both Shult and Putman have seen success so far this season. Putman with 74 digs (second on the team) and 32 kills. Shult with 40 kills and 15 blocks.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES | The Golden Eagles are led by head coach Jeanette Waldo in her second season. Tennessee Tech is 2-8 overall so far in the 2019 season highlighted by wins over Manhattan and North Alabama. The team returns eight players and bought in eight newcomers highlighted by returner Ali Verzani with 92 kills and 91 digs. 

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS | The Salukis are led by head coach Ed Allen in his first season in Carbondale. So far in 2019, they have a 6-5 record highlighted by wins over Middle Tennessee, Southeast Missouri State, and Alabama State. In the 2018 season, Southern Illinois volleyball had a record of 5-26. The Salukis have seen success in terms of offensive efforts led by Rachel Maguire with 103 kills closely followed by Alex Washington with 100 kills. SIU has the advantage historically winning 27 games to Western's five.

SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS | The Blue Raiders are led by head coach Chuck Crawford entering his third season at the helm. They are currently 3-7 in the 2019 season and last season they recorded a record of 7-21. Leading the team in the 2019 season is Urte Neimantaite with 118 kills, Taylor Hammil with 319 assists and Bri Tankesley with 146 digs. MTSU leads the series 3-1, the last time WIU faced the Blue Raiders was in 2004.

LOOKING AHEAD | Following this weekend's tournament, the Leathernecks will begin Summit League play Tuesday (Sept. 24) in Fort Wayne, Ind. at Purdue Fort Wayne.