WHO: Tennessee Tech

WHEN: September 25-26

WHERE: Macomb, IL (Western Hall)

Last Time Out: The Leathernecks competed against Chicago State, Valparaiso, and Missouri this last weekend, sweeping Chicago State but falling short to Valparaiso and Missouri. Keyana Cruse and Kennedy Adair led the Leathernecks, both with 25 kills. WIU returns to the court on Thursday and Friday, going against fellow conference team, Tennessee Tech.
 

All-Tournament Team: Kennedy Adair earned her spot on the All-Tournament Team this weekend. The Macomb, IL native worked hard this weekend, marking 25 kills and 13 digs. Adair earns her spot alongside key members from the other schools. 
 

Chasing 1,000: Keyana Cruse surpassed the 1,000 kill milestone at the Billiken Invitational September 5-6. Cruse has amassed over 1,000 kills in a Leatherneck uniform. She also needs just 5 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 Tennessee State: The Golden Eagles enter the 2025 season still under the stewardship of head coach Jeannette Phillips, who begins her eighth year at the helm of the program. After a strong 2024–25 campaign in which Tennessee Tech went 24–8 overall and 12–6 in conference play, the team looks to build momentum for another run. Key returners to watch include outside hitters Madolyn Isringhausen and Jordan Karlen, who both posted standout numbers last year and earned program honors. Likewise, setter Ava Schubert is expected to continue pushing the offense while anchoring Tech's attack from the service line and backcourt.

 

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