SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars began Great Lakes Valley Conference play last week, falling to Truman State and Quincy University at home. Illinois Springfield (5-5, 0-2) will look to rebound from those two losses, traveling to William Jewell (7-5, 1-1) and #25 Rockhurst (8-3, 2-0).

SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars fell to Truman State in their GLVC home opener last weekend 1-3 (17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 21-25) before suffering a five-set defeat to the hands of Quincy (21-25, 25-22, 25-14, 18-25, 10-15). The Prairie Stars sit in 7^th in the GLVC East while Rockhurst is 2^nd in the GLVC west and William Jewell sits 5^th.

Illinois Springfield is beginning a four game road swing in which they will take on Bellarmine and Southern Indiana following this road trip. This will be the final two road trips before the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover held in Aurora on October 14-16.

SCOUTING WILLIAM JEWELL (7-5, 1-1)
The Cardinals were one of the six teams that participated in the Inaugural Capital Classic, hosted at UIS earlier this season. The Cardinals finished 2-2 at the tournament, taking the lone set from Wayne State prior to UIS besting them in the final game. William Jewell is 3-2 vs. teams that UIS has also played this year, while the Prairie Stars hold the same record, each picking up a win over Southwest Baptist.

Leaders:
                -Kills: Paige Cunningham (128)
                -Assists: Alix Weigel (251)
                -Digs: Olivia Tolberd (204)
                -Blocks: Jenna Rau (5-20-25)

SCOUTING #25 ROCKHURST (8-3, 2-0)
The Hawks come in as the second highest ranked team in the GLVC, breaking into the top-25 in the latest AVCA poll. Rockhurst began the season at number 11 before dropping out of the poll prior to their 3-0 weekend, bringing them back in.

The Hawks rank in the top-5 in the GLVC in five different categories, leading the way in digs (816) while ranking second in hitting percentage (.239).
Rockhurst has had five matches this season go to five-sets in which they are 2-3 in those matches.

Leaders:
                -Kills: Morgan Rietzke (126) // 2^nd in GLVC
                -Assists: Lily Thornburg (358) // 4^th in GLVC
                - Digs: Anne Hellwege (226) // 2^nd in GLVC
                -Blocks: Holli Hogge (4-31-35)

COMING UP NEXT
The Prairie Stars will continue what is their longest road trip of the season with matches at Bellarmine and Southern Indiana. This series will return to Springfield on the final weekend of the regular season, reversing the order that was played last season.