KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Western Illinois volleyball (0-7, 0-6) saw production from several members on Monday evening as it faced Kansas City (5-1, 5-1) in a series closer. However, four sets ultimately went to the Roos' favor (21-25, 15-25, 25-21, 20-25).
KC took a 10-4 lead after its opening serve. WIU found its way into a quick offensive tempo and scored six out of the next seven possessions. Emma Norris delivered two kills, and cut the Roos' lead to 15-12. Aubrey Putman and Cassie Hunt connected on a kill apiece to trail 20-17. KC then scored four straight to reach set point. Western followed up with their own 4-0 run, but a KC kill ended set one, 25-21.
A fast start by the Roos helped them get ahead in the second set. Coming out of a timeout leading 15-8, KC would embark on a 4-0 run. A kill by Mariah Mitchell gave the Leathernecks a boost as they put up more points. Along with Mitchell, Peyton Bowman and Abby Knoop contributed in that stretch, but KC won the second, 25-15.
Helaina Hillyard opened the third set with a left-side hammer as her crew started 3-0. KC found a way to win seven of the next nine points, leading to another timeout break. Back-to-back kills from Putman helped Western regain the lead, 10-9, and point-for-point play continued. Eventually, a 6-2 Leatherneck run and several KC errors gave Western the edge, 25-21.
Knoop opened set four with two early kills before things were tied at seven. An 8-1 run by KC happened next, stopped by a strong Putman swing and three consecutive Roos errors. The Leathernecks found success on the scoring end a few more times, but the home squad again closed out the day with a win on their floor.
A line of 24 assists and 15 digs by Hunt was the senior's third double-double in a row. Putman tallied a team-leading ten kills, along with seven digs. Mitchell added eight kills, and Knoop finished with six - a season-high for the latter. Bowman, Hillyard, and Mitchell ended with three assisted blocks each. Gabby DePersio's 16 digs were tied for the highest in the match.
WIU remains on the road for its next test at Denver - Feb. 21-22. The series starts on Sunday at 6 p.m.
