MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois volleyball (0-4, 0-3) enjoyed returning to its home floor in a lively manner after being away for quite some time. Sunday's match would go to the opposing squad, Oral Roberts (1-4, 1-2), in a 3-0 final decision.
After an even score of four early into the first set, Emma Norris successfully notched a service ace to give WIU an 8-5 lead. A few kills from Aubrey Putman helped her group build their advantage to 13-9, before ORU climbed back to tie things at 16. Back-to-back kills from Norris put WIU ahead again and, after a few traded points, ORU evened the set at 21. More back-and-forth play led into the Golden Eagles taking set one, 25-23.
WIU benefitted off a few quick ORU errors in set two, and a Peyton Bowman kill cut the ORU lead to 8-7. Mariah Mitchell and Kennedy Davis netted a kill apiece, resulting in a timeout with the visitors up 15-13. Boosting off Bowman's spark and four team service aces, WIU cut the deficit to 20-19. An ORU 5-1 run closed things out, however, 25-20.
The third period began with errors by both sides. Cassie Hunt's service ace made it a 9-7 game in ORU's favor. Mitchell put home two kills in back-to-back style, and both teams continued to trade blows. Putman especially stood out during the frame - succeeding on three kills in a six-possession stretch. Nonetheless, ORU spurted on another late run similarly to the second set, ending the day on a 25-15 score.
"We just have to become more efficient on both ends," WIU head coach Ben Staupe acknowledged. "Executing better will create more opportunities for us."
Putman reached double-figures in kills (10) while Norris and Mitchell added nine and seven, respectively. Hunt finished with a match-high and season-high 27 assists. The senior setter also added in three aces. Gabby DePersio continued her defensive prowess with 14 digs - tied for a match-high. Her play helped WIU out-dig ORU, 43-42. Six service aces from the Leathernecks were a team season-high.
Day two of the series will begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. on Western's floor. Fans can view the match via the WIU Athletics home streaming platform - Leatherneck All-Access.
