Who | Western Illinois (1-12, 0-2) vs. North Dakota State (6-8, 0-2)

When | Thursday, Sept. 30 (6 p.m. CT)

Where | Macomb, Ill. (Western Hall)

Social Media | Twitter + Instagram + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 

Quick Hits

• This week, Western Illinois volleyball plays at home for the first time in the 2021 season, bringing in North Dakota State for a Thursday evening tilt (Sept. 30)

• Spectators in Western Hall are required to wear masks and be socially distanced. There are no number limitations at this time

• WIU dropped its first two Summit League matches on the road at Denver (Sept. 23) and Omaha (Sept. 25), respectively

• Through the team's first 13 matches, Kennedy Davis remains a steady force who leads the Leathernecks in a few team categories: kills (118), service aces (15), and blocks (32.0).
  

Most Recently … | In its second league test, WIU visited Omaha (5-7, 2-0) during Saturday afternoon (Sept. 25), as the Leathernecks would ultimately be downed in a sweep (25-27, 12-25, 12-25). Kennedy Davis totaled a team-high seven kills and two blocks. Peyton Bowman, Emma Norris, and Aubrey Putman all added five kills each. Maggie Craker had 21 assists and seven digs.
 

Karli is Killing It! | Starting at libero against the Mavericks, first-year Karli Wenzel posted a career day. She ended with 23 digs -- the highest total mark among all league individuals in a three-set performance. She had 16 digs in the first period alone. Wenzel has also registered matches of 19 and 16 digs versus Chattanooga (Sept. 4) and Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 10), respectively.
 

A Brief History | The Bison have won the last four meetings and hold a 22-5 lead in the all-time series. Last season, a two-day series happened in Grand Forks, with Putman netting a double-double of 11 kills and 11 digs.
 

Scouting the Opposition | NDSU will look to win its first league match tonight in a visit to South Dakota. Michelle Glover has had a hand in 52 blocks. Kaylee Hanger and Taylor Quan have also been vital defensive contributors with 159 and 130 digs, respectively. Ali Hinze (173) and Syra Tanchin (168) are the team leaders in kills. Both were named preseason league 'Players to Watch.' Raegan Reilly has chipped in 387 assists.
 

What's Next? | For Homecoming weekend, WIU hosts North Dakota on late Saturday morning (Oct. 2) at 11 a.m. CT.