West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University (WIU) will face Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in a critical volleyball matchup on November 15 and 16 in Charleston, Illinois. The Leathernecks recently secured a weekend sweep against Tennessee State, bolstered by Keyana Cruse's impressive performance with 24 kills and 23 digs.

Currently tied for sixth place in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) standings with an 8-8 record, WIU is poised to make its first postseason appearance in ten years. The top eight teams will advance to the OVC tournament, hosted by the regular season champion.

Graduate senior Annika Black returns to Charleston as part of WIU's squad. She has been instrumental defensively this season with 40 blocks and has contributed 64 kills across 19 matches.

Keyana Cruse ranks seventh in the OVC for kills and fifth for total points this season. Other notable performances include Maggie Craker ranking fifth in assists, Brittany Wulf sixth in service aces, Karli Wenzel sixth in digs, and Julianna Schmidt tenth in total blocks.

Eastern Illinois aims to secure the number one seed for the OVC tournament. Despite a recent loss to SIUE, EIU can clinch the regular season championship with a win or if SEMO loses. Giovana Larregui Lopez leads the conference in kills per set and points per set.