Macomb, Ill- WIU Volleyball reached the 17 win mark for the first time in a season since 2005 with their four-set win over Tennessee State on Thursday night. The win keeps the Leathernecks in fourth place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings with a conference record of 11-6.
As a team, WIU totaled 52 kills and 7 service aces, led by Keyana Cruse and Grace Nichols. Cruse finished the match with a match-high 21 kills, all of which came in the last three sets. Nichols added 10 kills to go along with 4 blocks and Maggie Craker had another stellar performance finishing with a match-high 44 assists. Karli Wenzel led the way defensively with a team-high 18 digs and the Leathernecks also recorded 10 blocks, showcasing strong defense throughout the match.
In the first set, WIU took the set by a score of 25-18. Grace Nichols had three kills for WIU, followed by Elizabeth Ziegler and Brittany Wulf who had two kills each. The defense was on full display with multiple blocks coming from the Leatherneck defense in the opening set. The Leathernecks had three blocks in the set with Keyana Cruse having two of them.
TSU responded in set two winning 25-23 after a closely contested set that saw several lead changes and ties. There were six lead changes and eight ties throughout, with the last lead change coming late in the set with the Tigers taking the lead at 24-23.
WIU reclaimed control in the third set, winning 25-20, highlighted by solid kills from Elizabeth Ziegler and Grace Nichols. Ziegler had two kills in the set with her first kill of the set ending a 6-1 run for the Leathernecks after trailing the early part of the set 10-8. Nichols had four kills in the set, with her biggest kill of the night putting WIU up three late at 23-20. A Maggie Craker ace followed by a Keyana Cruse kill would give WIU the set three victory.
The Leathernecks closed out the match with a tight 27-25 win in set four. With the Necks trailing 22-17 late in the set, Cruse would have five big kills to highlight a 10-3 WIU run to close out the set and win the match. WIU's serving was effective, having seven service aces compared to TSU's 3.
The final match of the regular season will take place tomorrow night at Tennessee State. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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