Who | Western Illinois (0-1, 0-0) at South Dakota State (0-1, 0-0)

When | Sunday, Jan. 31 & Monday, Feb. 1 | 2 p.m.

Where | Brookings, S.D. (Frost Arena)

Twitter | @WIUVolleyball
 

Quick Hits

• Later this week, WIU will once again pack their bags and head Northwest. This trip will be made to the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State in the season's first Summit League contest.

• Both programs recently suffered a season-opening loss at Drake and are seeking their first win of the season

• For league play, Western will compete in a 16-match format this year. Contests will take place in 'two-match series' on back-to-back days against eight scheduled opponents.
   

Previously…

The Leathernecks' first test of the 2021 season ended with a 3-1 loss at Drake University. After dropping the first two sets, WIU responded with a 5-0 start in the third frame. Significant contributions from juniors Peyton Bowman and Mariah Mitchell paced the 'seesaw set' before Mitchell gave WIU a 25-22 victory off a final kill.

Drake initiated their own 5-0 run to begin the fourth set and maintained control for the rest of the way, 25-12, to end the afternoon with a team win.

Mitchell posted a team-high 16 kills while Cassie Hunt notched a double-double of 22 assists and ten digs. Bowman, a transfer from last spring, impressed in her WIU debut with 11 kills and five total blocks. 

First-year Kennedy Davis also had a strong showing in her first collegiate match. The middle blocker totaled seven kills and five blocks. Gabby DePersio contributed stellar defense with a game-high 19 digs. WIU also both out-blocked (10-9) and out-dug (67-63) the Bulldogs.


On the Boards

With Week One now in the books, WIU has made their way onto the Summit League leader boards in both team and individual categories. The Leathernecks rest at the top in blocks - averaging a league-best 2.50 per set. Contributions to that same category have mainly come from Kennedy Davis and Bowman, who are both currently tied for second in individual blocks. Also, on the individual side of things, Bowman ranks third in hitting percentage (.556) and Mitchell is third in kills. Hunt has placed at sixth in assists while DePersio is listed at fourth in digs. Additionally, Kalynn Davis, a twin sister of Kennedy, is tied for fifth in blocks.
 

Some Brief History

WIU is currently on a three-game winning streak against South Dakota State, picking up wins in the two meetings last season. The Jackrabbits hold a 17-11 all-time record.
 

Analyzing the Jackrabbits

South Dakota State was picked eighth in this year's preseason poll… Crystal Burk and Tori Thompson are back at the outside hitter and middle blocker positions, respectively... both finished in the top five of team kills leaders a year ago… Anna Nerad creates a defensive presence and led her squad in blocks as a first-year in 2019… Burk tallied a team-high 13 kills in the season opener at Drake… Akeela Jefferson contributed 11 of her own… 10 returners compose of the Jackrabbits' 15-player roster.