Who | Western Illinois (3-15, 2-5) vs. Kansas City (13-5, 4-2) and Oral Roberts (10-5, 4-2)Â
When | Thursday, Oct. 14 (vs. Kansas City) and Saturday, Oct. 16 (vs. Oral Roberts)
Where | Macomb, Ill. (Western Hall)
Social Media | Twitter + Instagram + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
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Quick Facts
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After a long week of three road matches, Western Illinois volleyball is excited to compete back on its floor for two tests this week. The Leathernecks bring in Kansas City on Thursday (Oct. 14) before facing Oral Roberts in a Saturday evening showdown (Oct. 16)
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During week three of Summit League play, WIU went 1-2 -- defeating St. Thomas and falling to South Dakota State and South Dakota
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First-years Maggie Craker and Karli Wenzel have stepped up considerably in the past pair of weeks, now placing second on the team in assists (238) and digs (182), respectively
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Kansas City and Oral Roberts are tied for fourth place in league standings.
Most Recently … | Visiting St. Thomas last Tuesday (Oct. 5), WIU completed its first 3-0 sweep of the season (25-21, 25-19, 25-18). Craker posted a new career-high, single-match showing of 40 assists. Her 11 digs completed a double-double feat, along with two service aces. Aubrey Putman finished with a team-leading 11 kills, while Peyton Bowman and Kennedy Davis added nine apiece. Bowman also assisted on four blocks. Wenzel continued her exceptional defensive play -- ending with 21 digs. The Leathernecks held an advantage in kills (46-36), points (58-45), hitting percentage (.263-.202), digs (63-50), and assists (44-34).
Western arrived at South Dakota State for a Thursday matchup (Oct. 7). The Jackrabbits went on to win in four frames (23-25, 23-25, 25-21, 17-25). Brittany Wulf went on to set a new career-high in kills (14). For the second time in as many matches, Craker finished with a line of 40 assists and 11 digs. The Davis sisters, Kennedy and Kalynn, tallied 11 and seven kills, respectively. Kalynn also added three service aces. Emma Norris contributed 10 kills. Five different Leathernecks reached double-figures in digs, with Wenzel leading the way (17). The team finished with a 73-73 advantage over SDSU in that category.
Saturday saw the conclusion of WIU's heavy week, as the team fell 3-0 at South Dakota (14-25, 20-25, 18-25). Putman led the team with 12.5 points on 11 kills, an ace, and an assisted block and contributed five digs, while Kennedy and Kalynn Davis were forces at the net. The sisters assisted on three blocks each and also added 8.5 and 7.5 points, respectively. Craker handed out 23 assists.
Still Standing Out in the Summit | A few Leathernecks have either maintained or landed a spot within the league's top ten rankings of respective individual categories.
A Brief History | Western leads the all-time series, 25-18, over Kansas City. Last season, the Roos won both meetings and are on a six-match win streak. Against Oral Roberts, the Leathernecks trail 40-6 in the series. Likewise to Kansas City, Oral Roberts was victorious in both appearances versus WIU in 2020-21.
Scouting the Opposition | Kansas City is off to a strong 13-5 overall clip, holding an advantage over its opponents in every major category outside of blocks. Within the team, Melanie Brecka is first and second in kills (237) and digs (204), respectively. Maddie Renn ranks as the Roos' best in digs (323), service aces (24), and is second in assists. De'Janae Arnold has totaled 60.0 blocks.
Offensively, ORU is led by Trinity Freeman (139 kills) and Bryanne Soares (484 assists and 17 service aces). On the defensive end, Sarah Thiessen has collected 248 digs while Sakira LaCour is up to 70.0 blocks. The Golden Eagles have the edge over its opponents in kills (730-635), hitting percentage (.240-.178), assists (676-585), aces (77-60), digs (845-820), and blocks 124.5-85.0).
What's Next? | WIU is home again next week for contests against Omaha (Oct. 21) and Denver (Oct. 23).
