MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois volleyball wrapped up game one on its road trip Thursday evening, falling in three straight sets to Southeast Missouri inside Houck Field House.

SEMO entered the matchup near the top of the OVC standings, and the Leathernecks pushed the Redhawks in multiple long rallies while showing strong ball control and stretches of clean execution. Keyana Cruse led WIU with nine kills and 17 digs for her ninth double-digit defensive performance of the season, while Kennedy Adair added nine kills and six digs. Elizabeth Ziegler chipped in seven kills on an efficient .500 hitting percentage, and freshman Ashlee Markert provided a spark off the bench with five kills in her collegiate debut.

Karlie Lane anchored the back row with 10 digs, and setters Jaleah Bauss, Alysia Perez, and Madelyn Norton combined for 28 assists.

Set 1

Western Illinois opened the match with one of its most competitive sets of the OVC season. The teams traded points throughout the frame, producing seven ties and four lead changes. Cruse and Adair fueled the Leatherneck offense during a 5–0 run that erased a mid-set deficit, and Ziegler added two key kills to pull WIU even at 20–20. The Redhawks managed to edge ahead late, capitalizing on back-to-back points to take the opener, 26–24.

Set 2

SEMO applied steady serving pressure early in the second set, but WIU responded with kills from Ziegler and Cruse and an ace from Perez to stay within striking distance. Lane and Cruse kept the ball alive in extended rallies as WIU trimmed the deficit to three at 18–15. SEMO, however, closed the set on a 7–3 run behind efficient hitting in the middle to move ahead 2–0.

Set 3

Freshman outside hitter Ashlee Markert made an immediate impact in the third set, delivering multiple kills to help WIU build early momentum. Adair added timely scoring on the right pin, and the Leathernecks continued to battle defensively behind Lane and Perez. SEMO completed the sweep by generating offensive balance late in the frame, taking the final set 25–18.

Western Illinois moves to 7–21 (4–11 OVC) and returns to the Houck Field House to face the Redhawks before coming home to host the USI Eagles on Nov. 18-19 inside Western Hall.

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