Cougar Invitational
 

Friday, Sept. 17 - Western Illinois vs. Valparaiso (11 a.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 18 - Western Illinois vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (12 p.m.)
 

*Hosted by: Southern Illinois-Edwardsville

Where: Edwardsville, Ill.

Social Media: Twitter + Instagram + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 

Quick Hits

• Western Illinois volleyball is back on the road for a fourth straight week, competing in Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's Cougar Invitational for two days (Sept. 17-18)

• A three team field will take place, with each opponent playing the other for one match

• The tournament will be Western's final one before league play starts on Sept. 23

Most Recently … | WIU partook in the 2021 Colonel Challenge last weekend, hosted by Eastern Kentucky University for three contests. Match one on Friday (Sept. 10) against Western Carolina resulted in a five-set loss to the Catamounts (23-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-21, 9-15). It was the second contest in a row that saw several Leathernecks set new career-highs in a single-match showing:

- Peyton Bowman in kills (17).

- Kennedy Davis in kills (20).

- Jessie Connell in assists (51), which was also a match-high.

- Erika Moore in digs (21).

- Ashley Poland in digs (10).

Bowman and Kennedy Davis were incredibly efficient from the floor with hitting percentages of .560 and .633, respectively. Emma Norris' 12 kills were a season-high. Connell added 16 digs for a second straight double-double, including three service aces. WIU tied with WCU in assists (61) and out-dug the Catamounts 63-62.

The Leathernecks earned the first season win over the tournament host later that Friday, defeating Eastern Kentucky in five frames (25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 25-27, 15-7). Connell (52 assists), Moore (23 digs), and Poland (11 digs) all surpassed their career-highs from match one. Kennedy Davis totaled 20 kills for the second straight time, and Norris' 11 digs were a season-high. Bowman added 11 kills and nine blocks. Putman tallied 10 kills, seven digs, and five blocks. Connell's 10 digs gave her a third double-double in as many matches. WIU had the upper hand in points (80.0), kills (61), and blocks (16) over EKU while also tying in service aces (3).

Western's tournament closer versus New Mexico State resulted in a three-set loss (9-25, 15-25, 16-25). Bowman, Kennedy Davis, and Kalynn Davis all chipped in five kills. Kennedy also added two service aces. Connell registered 17 assists and six digs. Norris had four kills and three digs.

For a third straight time this season, Kennedy Davis was named to the all-tournament team. She collected 45 kills, 10 digs, six blocks, and four service aces over the weekend.

A Brief History | WIU and Valparaiso have a history that dates back to Oct. 1976, as the Crusaders hold a 31-7 lead in the all-time series and are on a six-match winning streak. Against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, the Leathernecks lead 5-3 in eight meetings, with the last resulting as a Sept. 1, 2012, five-set win.

Scouting the Opposition | Valparaiso has gotten off to a 7-2 overall start in 2021, going 3-0 in Tennessee Tech's Golden Eagle Invitational. Peyton McCarthy is one of the team's biggest attacking threats -- leading the squad in kills (92), hitting percentage (.366), and points (112.5). She also ranks second in total blocks (28). Bella Ravotto and Jillie Grant have added 86, and 85 kills, respectively. Brittany Anderson leads the Crusaders in assists (182), while Victoria Bulmahn narrowly trails behind at 177 of her own. Defensively, Rylee Cookerly has contributed 199 digs, and Haley Hart is up to 33 blocks.

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville is 2-7 overall on the season. The Cougars hold a 73.0-66.0 advantage in blocks over their opponents. Team leaders include Julia Treichel (62 kills), Alyse Drifka (195 assists), Grace Hurst (89 digs), and Annie Ellis (41.0 blocks). Hurst also is at the top in hitting percentage (.333).

What's Next? | Summit League play opens for Western on Sept. 23 at the University of Denver.