Alex Becerra Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
Alex Becerra Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
The Leatherneck Volleyball team achieved a significant victory against the Eastern Illinois Panthers, winning in four sets. This win places the Leathernecks above .500 in conference play with an overall record of 10-8, marking their most successful season since 2013 when they finished 12-18.
Keyana Cruse led the offensive charge with 18 kills, while Elizabeth Ziegler contributed 15 kills and maintained a hitting percentage of .414. Defensively, Cruse also recorded a team-high of 15 digs, and Julianna Schmidt made two solo blocks along with three block assists.
In the first set, the Leathernecks managed to overcome several deficits. The Panthers initially led 8-4, but WIU responded with a strong run to take a brief lead. Despite Eastern Illinois reclaiming an advantage at 15-9, WIU fought back and ultimately secured the set with a score of 31-29.
The second set saw Eastern Illinois taking an early lead again and maintaining it despite WIU's efforts to close the gap. The Panthers won this set by a margin of 25-22.
WIU turned the tables in the third set by establishing an early lead and maintaining it throughout. A series of effective plays led them to win this set 25-19.
In the fourth and final set, WIU took control early on with key contributions from Brittany Wulf and Julianna Schmidt. They closed out the match decisively with a score of 25-17.
The Leathernecks are scheduled to play against Southern Indiana in Evansville on Friday and Saturday. Matches are set for Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
For more updates on Leatherneck Volleyball, fans can visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
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