WHO: Chicago State | Valparaiso | Missouri

WHEN: September 18-20

WHERE: Macomb, IL (Western Hall)

Last Time Out: The Leathernecks competed against Kansas City on Tuesday, sweeping the score. WIU made all three sets. Keyana Cruse led the Leathernecks with thirteen kills. WIU returns to the court on Friday afternoon, hosting Chicago State, Valparaiso, and Missouri.

Chasing 1,000: Keyana Cruse surpassed the 1,000 kill milestone at the Billiken Invitational last weekend. Cruse has amassed over 1,000 kills in a Leatherneck uniform. She also needs just 40 digs to surpass 1,000 digs in her WIU career.

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. In all ten sets played, Cruse led with 37 kills. 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 Chicago State: The Cougars come into the 2025 season under new head coach Kamille Jones, who was hired in July 2025 after four seasons leading UIS. Last season, Chicago State made a strong impression in their inaugural year in the Northeast Conference, finishing 17-9 overall and 13-1 in NEC regular-season play, winning the regular season title. They also swept nine opponents (3-0) during NEC matches and hosted the NEC Championship. Key players returning are outside hitter Patrycja Lagida, who was named NEC Player of the Year, and setter Wiktoria Zagumny, who earned the Setter of the Year honors. 

Scouting Valparaiso: The Valpo Beacons volleyball squad enters the 2025 season looking to take the next step in the Missouri Valley Conference. In 2024, they went 18-14 overall, 9-9 in MVC play, giving them a middle-of-the-pack finish. They were picked to finish sixth in the MVC preseason poll in 2024. Head coach Carin Avery is now in her 23rd season at Valpo, and she is the all-time wins leader in Valparaiso athletics, having amassed over 500 wins and leading the Beacons through multiple conference changes. 

Scouting Missouri: The Tigers are coming into 2025 with high expectations, having been picked fourth in the SEC preseason coaches' poll. Last season (2024), they went 22-9 overall and 11-5 in SEC play, showing strong consistency in conference matchups. While they weren't among the very top of the SEC, the Tigers made noise — finishing the regular season with 20 wins and earning a postseason appearance. Key players to watch include libero Maya Sands, who has been recognized as one of the conference's best at her position. 

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