Who | Western Illinois (3-19, 2-9) at North Dakota (3-22, 0-11) and North Dakota State (9-14, 3-8)

When | Thursday, Oct. 28 - 7 p.m. (at North Dakota) and Saturday, Oct. 30 - 11 a.m. (at North Dakota State)

Where | Grand Forks, N.D. (Betty Engelstad Sioux Center) and Fargo, N.D. (Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse)

Social Media | Twitter + Instagram + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 

Quick Hits

• Following a two-week stint at home, Western Illinois volleyball is back on the road this week for matches at North Dakota and North Dakota State.

• Most recently, WIU was defeated by Omaha (Oct. 21) and Denver (Oct. 23) last week on its home floor.

• North Dakota State stands seventh in Summit League standings, and North Dakota is tenth.

Most Recently … | This past Thursday, Omaha, ranked #1 in the league, maintained control to win the night in three sets (17-25, 15-25, 15-25). Brittany Wulf led the offense with six kills, while Peyton Bowman and Kalynn Davis added five apiece. Maggie Craker dished 18 assists. Karli Wenzel had eight digs.

Finishing off its homestand, Western showcased admirable grit and improvement during a big Saturday morning test versus Denver. The Leathernecks took the opening period before falling in four (25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 16-25). Wulf led the way with a match-best 21 kills. Craker paced all individuals with 37 assists. WIU finished with a 69-63 advantage in digs as a team, as Craker and Wenzel contributed 17 apiece. Bowman made an early impact on both ends -- tallying seven kills and seven blocks. Wulf and Kennedy Davis assisted on four blocks, helping give their Leathernecks another edge in team blocks over the Pioneers (11.0-5.0).

A Freshman Feat | Brittany Wulf's 21-kill performance against Denver was not only the best total by a Leatherneck this season but also the highest mark by any league individual in a four-set showing. The first-year has led Western in kills in five of the last six matches.

A Brief History | North Dakota has a 4-3 edge over WIU in the all-time series, but Western downed the Fighting Hawks, 3-1, for its first league victory earlier this month (Oct. 2). Hosting North Dakota State in its home opener, WIU found itself in an intense five-set battle that ended in the visitors' favor, 3-2. The Bison hold a 23-5 advantage in the all-time series.

What's Next? | The Leathernecks return home to host South Dakota (Nov. 4) and South Dakota State (Nov. 7).