Who | Western Illinois vs. South Dakota State

When | Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.

Where | Sioux Falls, S.D.

Live Stats | Here

Social Media | Twitter #TRADITIONofTOUGH

FIRST SERVE | Western Illinois women's volleyball heads to play at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. this Sunday (Sept. 29) as they take on South Dakota State in their Dig Pink game.

STAUPE SAYS | "We are very excited to participate in our first dig pink match of the season," said Coach Ben Staupe. "We are honored that South Dakota State has invited us to be a part of the match and play in that atmosphere. After last week, we are excited to get back on the court after Tuesday and prove that we can play in the Summit League."

LAST TIME OUT | The Leathernecks are coming off a strong blocking performance this Tuesday (Sept. 24) where WIU out-blocked Purdue Fort Wayne nine to five. Joining Mackenzie Steckler in the lead for blocks tonight were Mariah Mitchell and Elle Shult all with leading the team with four total blocks. The Leathernecks ultimately were unable to take a set from the Mastodons despite a powerful third set performance with highlights from Shult and Aubrey Putman on the offense and fell 3-0.

 STOPPED BY STECKLER | On Monday (Sept. 25) the NCAA comes out with team and individual ranking. Finding herself among the national rankings was Western's Steckler recognized as sixth for total blocks and sixteenth in blocks per set. 

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 109 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 74 blocks as well as placing third 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. JoJo Kruize joining the team for her final season has made a huge impact leading the Leathernecks with 119 kills thus far. Another two rookies leading the way for WIU are Gabby DePersio with 174 digs and Connell with 258 assists as well as 25 aces. Making an impact both Shult and Putman have seen success so far this season. Putman with 115 digs (second on the team) and 59 kills. 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. This past weekend, DePersio has started to use these out of system balls as an opportunity to stack her offensive stats as well. With 11 attempts she was able to find the floor 5 times and has a hitting percentage of .250.

SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS| The Jackrabbits are led by head coach Nicole Cirillo in her fifth season. South Dakota State is currently 3-9 this season highlighted by performances by Mackenzie Hennen with 154 kills, Carly Wedel with 206 assists, and Tatum Pickar with 167 digs. Joining the conference in 2007, the Leathernecks have played SDSU a total of 24 times, their last meeting resulting in a Leatherneck win for the last game of the 2018-19 season.

LOOKING AHEAD | Following their Sunday game at the Pentagon, WIU will head to North Dakota and North Dakota State Saturday (Oct. 4) and Sunday (Oct. 6). Western volleyball will be on the road for the next three matches and will return home Oct. 11 to face Omaha.