MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois volleyball battled in a five-set thriller on Friday night but ultimately fell 3–2 to SIUE inside the First Community Arena. The loss moves the Leathernecks to 3–13 overall and 0–3 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Set One
Western Illinois came out strong in the opening frame, with Kiyah Franklin and Keyana Cruse helping the Leathernecks stay even with SIUE midway through. Both sides traded points until the Cougars put together a late run to secure a 25–22 win.

Set Two
SIUE carried the momentum into the second set, jumping out to an early lead. The Leathernecks struggled to find consistency offensively. Despite efforts from Elizabeth Ziegler and Kennedy Adair, Western dropped the set 25–15.

Set Three
The Leathernecks responded with their strongest set of the night. Behind steady passing and timely setting from freshman Jaleah Bauss, Western's offense found its rhythm. Cruse and Ziegler delivered key kills, while Franklin chipped in at the net. A kill from Cruse sealed a 25–20 victory that cut SIUE's lead to 2–1.

Set Four
Set four was the tightest of the match, with both teams trading points deep into the frame. Western pulled ahead late thanks to a service ace from Grace Ulatowski and a flurry of kills from Ziegler and Cruse. SIUE mounted a rally, but the Leathernecks held on as Ziegler's kill closed out a 25–23 win to force a decisive fifth set.

Set Five
The final frame featured constant swings of momentum, with neither team leading by more than two points. Franklin and Kremer came through with critical kills to keep Western alive, but SIUE capitalized on the final rallies to edge out a 15–13 win and claim the match.

National Spotlight
Freshman setter Jaleah Bauss dished out 16 assists in the match and continues to shine in her debut season. She currently ranks third among freshmen nationally and 13th overall in Division I in assists per set.

Western Illinois and SIUE will square off again tomorrow evening in Edwardsville as the Leathernecks look to even the weekend series.