West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's women's volleyball team is preparing for an upcoming match against the University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) Skyhawks, scheduled for October 9-10 in Martin, Tennessee at the Skyhawk Fieldhouse.

In their most recent competition, the Leathernecks faced conference opponent SIUE. The team lost a close match on October 3 with a score of 2-3 but secured a win on October 4, finishing 3-1. During these games, Keyana Cruse led Western Illinois in kills, recording a total of 28 across both matches.

Freshman setter Jaleah Bauss has received national recognition for her performance this season. She is currently ranked 35th among NCAA players for aces per set and stands at 17th in NCAA service aces. "Bauss is ranked among schools like USC, the University of Miami, and Tennessee," according to university sources.

Keyana Cruse recently achieved significant milestones during the Billiken Invitational held September 5-6 by surpassing both the 1,000 kill and 1,000 dig marks in her collegiate career with Western Illinois. "Cruse has amassed over 1,000 kills in a Leatherneck uniform. Cruse has also reached 1,000 digs," stated the program.

The Leathernecks' roster features eight new players this year. Among them are transfer Kiyah Franklin from Youngstown State—who accumulated more than 300 kills and over 75 blocks during her time as a Penguin—and Alysia Perez from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Six freshmen have joined from various states: Ashlee Markert and Martyna Sowiak from Illinois; Jaleah Bauss from Texas; Aubrey Pender from Arkansas; Caroline Clayton from Kansas; and Ella Haines from Wisconsin.

Senior Keyana Cruse leads nine returning players for Western Illinois this season. Last year she led the team in points (590), kills (519), sets played (114), matches started (30), digs (463), and blocks (72). In ten sets played so far this season, Cruse has recorded 37 kills. Elizabeth Ziegler returns to play right side after appearing in all matches last season and posting a personal best with 260 kills.

According to preseason Ohio Valley Conference polls, Western Illinois was projected to finish sixth—their highest preseason ranking since joining the conference. Southeast Missouri State University was picked first after winning last year's regular-season championship.

Keyana Cruse and Kennedy Adair were highlighted as key players to watch this season; both earned All-OVC Preseason Honors while Adair was named specifically as one to watch for WIU.

UT Martin's volleyball program enters its new campaign under head coach Jacqueline Torbett’s leadership for a sixth year. Last season UT Martin finished with an overall record of 20–11 and went 11–7 in conference play.

For ongoing updates about Western Illinois women's volleyball, information is available at GoLeathernecks.com or through their official social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.