MACOMB, Ill. - Motivated from its first win of the year on Friday night (March 19), Western Illinois volleyball (2-13, 2-12) turned in an even more exhilarating team performance 24 hours later. Tested against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks once again, the Leathernecks stepped up to a challenging five-set outing. 

The result?

 A back-to-back win and Summit League series sweep. WIU took the 3-2 win (23-25, 25-9, 19-25, 25-21, 15-12) and essentially outdueled UND in every major category - points, kills, aces, blocks, assists, and digs.

"Tonight was full of intensity... I was once again proud of how we kept our composure," said WIU head volleyball coach Ben Staupe. "When we play at a high level like that, we put ourselves in a better position to compete with any opponent. The victories mean even more when we get to defend our home court."

After narrowly dropping the first set, 25-23, Western took full control in the second. Mariah Mitchell, Emma Norris, and Aubrey Putman all contributed heavily with lethal attacks during the frame. Reaching set point at 24-9, Peyton Bowman finished the period with a swat down the middle.

Set three stayed close up for a notable stretch until UND sprung on a 5-0 run to surge ahead 22-16. Three more kills from three different Leathernecks kept the play alive for a few additional possessions, but the Fighting Hawks delivered a swinging hit to end the period.

WIU's hitters continued to be steady in the fourth, as the team extended its lead to 17-10. Five consecutive points from UND trimmed the advantage by a bit, 21-16. Nevertheless, a few late errors from the visitors proved costly in a 25-21 setback.

Being tied at 7-7 in set five, WIU edged out a small three-point lead immediately afterward. The group hung on in a quick span of back-and-forth plays. Mitchell leaped from the right side to throw a powerful spike off a UND player's shoulder, reaching set point for Western. The Fighting Hawks had one more chance. However, an attacking error from far out signaled the whistle to be blown, as the WIU bench rushed onto the court for hugs and joyful cheers.

Five Leathernecks achieved new season-highs during the match: Gabby DePersio (24), Jessie Connell (14), Kennedy Davis (7), and Bowman (5), all in digs, while Putman had three aces.

Cassie Hunt posted a second double-double in as many days, with 21 assists and 14 digs. Connell's 20 assists also gave her a double-double. Bowman produced 14 kills. Putman and Mitchell added 13 and 11, respectively.

One final week of the league's regular-season remains for WIU. The Leathernecks are back in Western Hall on March 26-27 to host the South Dakota Coyotes.