WHO: Quinnipiac | UT Arlington | Bradley

WHEN: Aug. 29-31

WHERE: Peoria, IL (Renaissance Coliseum)

Cruising In The Top 10: Keyana Cruse has already made a name for herself in the NCAA. In 2024, Cruse ranked second in total attacks and third in attacks per set among all NCAA teams. In 2025, Cruse is in the top 10 of players returning in points per set at 5.18. Cruse, a 2023 & 2024 All-OVC First Team member, is the all-time record holder at WIU in kills in a single season at 519.

New Faces: WIU welcomes eight new faces to the 2025 squad. Kiyah Franklin transfers into WIU from Youngstown State. In her four years as a Penguin, Franklin totaled 301 kills and over 75 blocks, playing well in 62 matches. Alysia Perez also transferred into WIU after spending her freshman season at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Head Coach Dale Starr also welcomes six freshmen from five different states. Mount Sterling native Ashlee Markert and Martyna Sowiak both come from Illinois. Jaleah Bauss travels north from Texas. Aubrey Pender joins the Leathernecks from Arkansas. Caroline Clayton travels east from Kansas, and Ella Haines travels south from Wisconsin.

Returning Stars: Senior Keyana Cruse leads the nine Western Illinois returners. Cruse led the team in points (590), kills (519), sets played (114), matches started (30), and leads all returners in digs with 463 and blocks at 72. Elizabeth Ziegler returns to the right side for WIU. The Sandusky, Ohio native appeared in all 30 matches last season, playing in 114 sets. Ziegler posted a career high with 260 kills last year.

Ohio Valley Polls: Western Illinois was predicted to finish 6th in the preseason polls. This is the highest preseason projection for WIU since joining the Ohio Valley Conference. Last year's OVC regular season champion SEMO sits atop the preseason poll with 194 points, claiming 15 out of the 22 first-place votes. Lindenwood and Tennessee Tech both received first-place votes as well.

Players to Watch: Outside hitters Keyana Cruse and Kennedy Adair both earned All-OVC Preseason Honors. Cruse was named to the All-OVC Preseason team. Junior Kennedy Adair was named as a player to watch for WIU. 

Scouting Quinnipiac: Quinnipiac is selected to finish second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) after finishing with a 19-13 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play. The Bobcats are led by MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Elena Giacomini. Giacomini, the reigning MAAC Player of the Year, ended the last regular season second in the MAAC in kills with 434 and second in total points with 509.5.  Also named to the Preseason All-MAAC team were Damla Gunes and Ginevra Giovagnoni.

Scouting UT Arlington: UT Arlington finished the 2024 season at 29-3, including 18 sweeps, for its first undefeated conference season since 1992, and won the WAC regular season and tournament title to clinch a berth in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Junior Samantha Glenn was named the preseason libero of the year award for the first time in her career, while both she and Sophie Ocampo were selected to the All-WAC team.

Scouting Bradley: Bradley finished last season with a 15-15 overall record. The Braves went 10-8 in conference play for a fifth-place finish.

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