Who | Charleston Southern | Norfolk State | Sacred Heart

Where | Charleston, SC.

When | Friday (Sept. 20), Saturday (Sept. 21) | 11:00 AM, 3:30 PM & 10:00 AM

Social Media | @WIUVolleyball (Twitter) + wiu_volleyball (Instagram) + WIU Volleyball (Facebook) 

MACOMB, IL - The Leatherneck Volleyball team hits the road for the final time during non-conference play as they travel to the Buc Dome Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina. The Leathernecks will play a total of three matches, two being played on Friday and one game being played on Saturday. WIU will play at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, squaring off against Charleston Southern and Norfolk State. On Saturday, they will take on Sacred Heart at 10 a.m. 

Western Illinois comes into the tournament with a record of 3-5. Last week, the Leathernecks dropped two of their three matches at the UND Classic with their lone win coming against Belmont in three sets. The Leathernecks currently lead the country in digs per set (21.19), with the next closest team to them being Auburn who sits at 19.46. 

Karli Wenzel had a great weekend in Grand Forks. In 10 sets played, Wenzel led WIU defensively registering 66 digs (6.6 DPS). The senior Libero from Manteno, Illinois was named to the all-tournament team at the UND Classic and won the OVC Defensive Player of The Week this week. 

About Charleston Southern

Charleston Southern comes into their own tournament with a record of 3-7 with wins over Furman twice and OVC opponent Tennessee State. Offensively, the Bucs are led by outside hitter Sklyar Yates. Yates has 123 kills on the season in 36 sets played and averages just under 3.5 kills a set (3.42). Defensively, Charleston Southern's middle blocker Brenna Rowland has 39 blocks on the year including 12 solo blocks. 

Last season, Charleston Southern finished 9-19 overall with a conference record of 3-11. Half of their wins came on their home floor as they went 5-9 at home last year. 

The last time WIU and Charleston Southern played one another was on Sept. 2, 2017 as the Leathernecks defeated the Bucs in 5 sets. 

About Norfolk State

Norfolk State enters the Buc Dome Invitational with a record of 3-6 defeating Lamar, Gardner-Webb, and Hampton. The Spartans are led by outside hitter Gabrielle Gilbert who is averaging 4.16 kills per set in 31 sets played. On the defensive side, Lilly Rose-Pichon is averaging 3.71 digs per set and has a total of 115 digs on the season. 

Last year, Norfolk state went 9-14 overall with a conference record of 7-7. The Spartans lost in the quarterfinals of the MEAC volleyball tournament to the number 4 seed University of Maryland Eastern Shore in five sets. 

About Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart comes into the Buc Dome Invitational on a four-match losing streak with an overall record of 3-6 with wins over Kent State, Youngstown State, and LIU. Sacred Heart has two impactful players on the offensive side in outside hitters Allison Murray and Camryn Luginbuhl. Murray and Luginbuhl both are averaging over three kills per set. 

Last year, the Pioneers had an overall record of 12-15 but had a conference record of 11-3 and won the NEC Conference title in their final season in the NEC. Sacred Heart lost in the NEC semifinals to the number four seed LIU in four sets. 

A look ahead

Following the Buc Dome Invitational, the Leathernecks will have a three-match homestand to start the conference season hosting SIUE and Lindenwood. They will take on SIUE on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12 p.m. Three days later, WIU will host Lindenwood on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. inside Western Hall. 

Follow the Leathernecks 

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