BROOKINGS, S.D. – Rounding out its stay in the Mount Rushmore State, Western Illinois volleyball (0-3, 0-2) concluded its league series at South Dakota State (2-1, 2-0) on Monday afternoon. The final result fell in the Jackrabbits’ favor, 3-0.
A couple of errors from both teams opened set one before Peyton Bowman struck home a kill to have WIU down 7-5. SDSU then scored seven points in its next nine attempts, leading to a Leatherneck timeout. Not long after, twins Kalynn and Kennedy Davis picked up back-to-back kills in a fashionable style to make the deficit 16-9. The Jackrabbits put up three more points, but WIU responded in five straight – capped off by Kennedy and Mariah Mitchell connecting on an assisted block to make it 19-14. SDSU outscored Western 6-3 in the closing minutes to finish the first set, 25-17.
Set two was a period that absolutely went down to the wire. Mitchell scored her team’s first four points, and Emma Norris’ kill evened the score at five. A quick 7-2 run happened from SDSU next, but two kills by Helaina Hillyard got the Leathernecks back on track. Down 14-8, WIU erupted to put up five straight points and make it a one-point game. Mitchell scored three more times during the stretch. Eventually, the Jackrabbits found a bit of breathing room to go up 22-18. As a response, Hillyard swatted down another kill, and, following a few SDSU errors, Ashley Poland succeeded in a service ace to make it 24-23. An SDSU kill ultimately gave the host the set victory.
Bowman, Mitchell, and Norris all helped keep the third set very close early on. An SDSU service error tied the score at 8. Subsequently, the host put together a 6-0 run. Norris and Cassie Hunt continued to give WIU contributions, but SDSU would hold onto a lead of at least four points up until Bowman netted a kill – cutting down the Jackrabbits’ lead to 22-19. That was the closest Western would get, as SDSU again took the match in three sets with a final 25-21 decision.
For the third straight match, Mitchell either led or tied in kills for the Leathernecks – notching 11. Jessie Connell had 21 assists, and Norris finished with a line of five kills and a team-leading 18 digs. Hillyard posted six kills in her first collegiate showing, with Bowman tallying six of her own. Gabby DePersio added in 17 digs.
Next, WIU is on its home floor for the first time in this 2021 season. The Leathernecks will bring in Oral Roberts for another two-match series, Feb. 7-8, as Summit League play continues.
***Recap courtesy of WIU Athletics***
