Leathernecks Battle Prairie Stars in Exhibition

Saturday, August 19, 2023 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

MACOMB, Ill – Western Illinois defeated the University of Illinois-Springfield in an exhibition match on Saturday (Aug. 1). In the first action of the 2023 season, the Leathernecks came out victorious in five sets.

Western Illinois jumped out in front with an 8-2 run capped off by an Elizabeth Ziegler kill. UIS battled back, using a 6-1 run to pull within one (9-8). A Prairie Stars service error followed by a Keyana Cruse kill and then a Brittany Wulf service ace would push WIU lead back out to four. UIS would only partially let WIU pull into control as they would bring WIU's lead down to one at 16-15. The Leathernecks had a final answer as a 9-4 run would end set one 25-19 in favor of the Leathernecks.

Set two started closer as both teams would trade points tying the game at seven apiece. Kennedy Adair would have her second of four kills in the second set sparking a 4-0 Leatherneck run, giving them an 11-7 lead. UIS responded with a 6-1 run to claim a 13-12 lead halfway through. WIU pulled back in front with a quick 3-0 run and a 4-1 run to force UIS to use both timeouts. The Prairie Stars hung around, though, as they would overcome a 19-16 deficit to take the second set 25-23.

Western Illinois would get back on track in set three, starting with a 6-2 run and pulling out in front. Karli Wenzel started, and Maggie Craker capped off a 13-5 run with a pair of service aces to put WIU out in front 19-7. WIU and UIS would trade points for the rest of the set as WIU would take set number three 25-14.

WIU fell behind early in set four. Finding themselves down 10-3 and 16-9, the Leathernecks battled the entire set. Down 16-9, Julliana Schmidt, Brittany Wulf, and Keyana Cruse combined for three straight kills. Wulf kept the 3-0 run with a service ace bringing WIU within three (16-13). WIU would keep the pressure on as Cruse would have another kill to give WIU a 20-19 lead late in the fourth set. Both teams would trade points before UIS would take the fourth set 26-24.

Set five was all WIU, as a 6-0 lead would force UIS to use both of their timeouts. The Leathernecks would not look back in the final set as they would ride Cruse strong right arm, taking the set 15-7.

Keyana Cruse led the team with 25 kills playing in just four sets. Brittany Wulf and Elizabeth Ziegler were the next two highest, with nine and eight kills, respectively. Karli Wenzel led the teams in digs. Playing in the libero position Wenzel dug up 21 balls on the night. Annika Black led the team in blocks with three solos and one assist. As a team, WIU had eight service aces in the match. Wenzel led with three, with Wulf and Maggie Craker having two.

The Leathernecks kick off their regular season on Friday night inside Western Hall as they battle Cleveland State in their first match of the Leatherneck Invite.

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