CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. - Western Illinois women's volleyball swept the Jackson State Tigers in their final game of the Redhawks Invitational (Sep. 7).

In their final match of the weekend, the Leathernecks were able to show their dominance over the Tigers with a deciding 3-0 victory.

"We are pleased to leave the tournament two and one," said Coach Ben Staupe. "Every single student-athlete on the roster was able to contribute, and they are all continuing to develop and grow with each other as the season progresses."

It took the Leathernecks some time in the first set before they were able to take a definite lead at 17-15. With a well-rounded offensive effort from four players with three kills each and Cassie Hunt and Jessie Connell with 7 and 6 assists respectively the Leathernecks were able to hold this lead and finish the game 25-22.

After setting the tone for the match, the Leathernecks were able to start dynamically in set two coming out to a 10-3 lead with the help of two service aces by JoJo Kruize. The Leatherneck block made a significant impact in the second game with blocks from Mariah Mitchell, Mackenzie Steckler, Abby Knoop and Kruize furthering the lead. Riley Schumacher finished the second set for the Leathernecks with a kill from Cassie Hunt (25-14).

With the two-game WIU advantage, Jackson State came out with a strong 5-0 start. Western worked hard to answer this lead and tied up the game at 7-7 with a kill by Mitchell assisted by Connell. WIU slowly pulling away with the edge, the Tigers proved they would not go down without a fight and worked their way back to tie the game at 17-17 and again at 21-21. With Hunt back to serve the Leathernecks took the lead for a final time and defeated the Tigers 25-23.

In three sets the WIU blocked a total of 13 balls with Elle Shult leading the team with seven blocks. The team totaled 36 kills, led by Mitchell with nine as well as Connell dishing out 19 assists.

With the conclusion of the Redhawks Invitational WIU had two student-athletes named to the All-Tournament team, Steckler and Kruize. Steckler totaled 14 blocks, and 17 kills on the weekend highlighted by a seven-block performance Friday (Sep. 6) morning against Evansville. Kruize totaled 45 kills on the weekend highlighted by a career-high 22 kills against Evansville.

The Leathernecks will return Tuesday (Sep. 10) for their home opener against Drake at 6 p.m.