MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois volleyball continued Ohio Valley Conference play at home on Friday night, showing fight in all three sets before dropping a 3-0 decision to Tennessee Tech inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks (3-11, 0-1 OVC) matched the Golden Eagles point-for-point through long stretches, with 23 ties and nine lead changes across the evening. 

Set One

Western Illinois came out energized in front of the home crowd. Ashlee Markert and Hillary Estes recorded early kills, and Kennedy Adair added another to even the score at 7-7. Cruse chipped in multiple points midway through the set, and Lane's service ace kept WIU within striking distance. The Golden Eagles put together a late run to edge ahead, but WIU kept pushing before ultimately dropping the opener, 25-19.

Set Two

The Leathernecks responded strong to start the second. Cruse and Grace Kremer each tallied kills to pull WIU within a point, and Kremer followed with a block to tie the set at 10-10. Lane then delivered her second ace of the match to energize the crowd. Tennessee Tech answered with a late service run, but Western continued to press behind kills from Adair and Markert before falling 25-18.

Set Three

Western once again jumped in front, this time behind an Adair ace and back-to-back kills from Cruse. Alysia Perez and Jaleah Bauss combined to move the offense and helped set up Kremer for a pair of points at the net. Lane stepped up with another ace late in the frame, bringing WIU within 22-19, but Tennessee Tech was able to close out the set 25-20 and secure the match.

The Leathernecks continue their fight at SIUE October 3rd and 4th.
 

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