MACOMB, Ill. - Stepping onto its home floor again on Saturday evening (Oct. 16), Western Illinois volleyball (3-17, 2-7) faced Oral Roberts (12-5, 6-2) in a meeting that displayed back-and-forth, aggressive series of play. The night concluded with the Golden Eagles ending victorious in three sets (15-25, 27-29, 23-25). 

Kalynn Davis helped get the WIU offense rolling with a pair of kills, as the score became tied up, 6-6. The Western hitters, led by Peyton Bowman, continued to hand out punches, but a 10-2 run helped ORU snag a 25-15 win in the first set.

Brittany Wulf played with a chip on her shoulder in set two -- jumping high and swinging hard from the left side for several kills. The period ended up being Western's most lengthy period of the entire season, as extra points occurred during intense 'seesaw play' during the final bundle of possessions. Wulf acted as a standout contributor in keeping her Leathernecks alive, but the team eventually fell 29-27.

Maggie Craker's service ace had WIU leading 3-0 in the third before ORU went ahead 9-6. Back-to-back kills from Emma Norris helped put WIU narrowly behind, 15-14, and a service error from the Golden Eagles saw the score evened at 20. A couple of ball-handling errors hurt ORU, but the visitors stayed in front to win the night in a sweep.

Wulf again paced the Leatherneck offense, tallying a team-high 11 kills. Craker posted a second straight double-double (25 assists and 12 digs). Bowman had six kills and five blocks, while Karli Wenzel added 17 digs.

Next week, the home stretch continues for Western when the team hosts Omaha on Thursday (Oct. 21).