Who | Western Illinois (0-13,0-12) vs. North Dakota (2-12, 2-10)

When | March 19-20 at 5 p.m.

Where | Macomb, Ill. (Western Hall)

Watch | Leatherneck All-Access (Friday, March 19)

Twitter | @WIUVolleyball

Quick Hits

• Coming off a bye week that provided some recuperation, Western Illinois volleyball now sets its sights on hosting the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 

• Two weeks remain in the Summit League's 2020-21 regular season. The league's championship bracket runs April 2-3

• Loved ones of WIU players will again have the opportunity to watch the action live in Western Hall this weekend. The university officially implemented a new attendance policy on Feb. 28 that now permits a 50-person limit. Visiting fans of opposing teams are not permitted, and a WIU player pass list allows access into the arena for family members only

Most Recently…

On the road, Western dropped two matches at North Dakota State back during March 5-6. During the series opener, Cassie Hunt achieved a special feat in pushing past 1,000 career assists. This season, the senior setter leads WIU in that category by a notable margin (321). Aubrey Putman put up a double-double of 11 kills and 11 digs. Emma Norris added six kills, and Abby Knoop had five - all of which arrived in the third set. Erika Moore's team-leading 12 digs were her second-highest total of the season. Hunt dished out 25 assists, including seven digs. Mariah Mitchell and Kennedy Davis notched two blocks each.

Day two of the series ended with a head-to-head third set in which WIU forced extra points. NDSU ultimately won 3-0 (14-25, 18-25, 24-26). Norris and Davis both finished with seven kills, which tied as a season-high for the latter. Jessie Connell was a spark as a substitute - leading the Leathernecks in assists (12) and aces (2). Putman chipped in ten digs and five kills. Just like the series opener, WIU tied with NDSU in blocks (6). Four of those rejections were credited to Peyton Bowman.

Still Standing

Mitchell remains part of the top ten league leaders in kills (2.78/set) - a mark she has sustained all year long. Likewise, Bowman continues as a top ten season performer in hitting percentage (.308), Hunt for assists (7.02/set), and Gabby DePersio in digs (3.63/set).

A Brief History

Matchups between the two programs only first began in 2018, as North Dakota holds a 4-0 all-time lead. An exceptional back-and-forth battle happened last season in Western Hall on Nov. 1, 2019. North Dakota finished on the winning end, 2-3 (21-25, 25-11, 22-25, 25-22, 12-15). It stands as the most recent series meeting. 

Scouting the Opposition

Lexi Ahrens has been one of the most lethal attackers in the league all season, hitting percentage-wise (.321)… the junior's play on both ends places her at the top of kills (132) and blocks (32) by a North Dakota individual… Darian Chwialkowski leads all Summit players in digs per set (5.46)… Peyton Sewell's 287 assists are a team-best, and she also ranks ninth in assists per set (5.86)… Sewell also is a leader in service aces (20).