The llinois Springfield volleyball team returns home for a pair of GLVC matches this weekend at TRAC. The Prairie Stars host William Jewell on Friday at 6:00 p.m. for a #WeAreStars Night, bringing all Prairie Stars together in support of the team. Friday's match will also feature Faculty & Staff Appreciation recognition pregame.
On Saturday at 3:00 p.m., UIS will hold its Dig Pink match presented by Springfield Clinic, featuring a bake sale and ribbon sales in support of the American Cancer Society.
Illinois Springfield (6-8, 0-4 GLVC)
The Prairie Stars are looking to bounce back after road losses at UMSL (3-0) and McKendree (3-1) last weekend. Against UMSL, UIS dropped the first set 25-7 after an early 2-0 lead but battled stronger in the next two sets, falling 25-15 and 25-19 while tallying 11 kills in the final frame.
At McKendree, UIS narrowly dropped the first set 25-23, fell 25-15 in set two, then rallied to take the third 25-19 before a tight 25-22 finish for UMSL in the fourth.
Makenna Cox led the attack with 18 kills and 24 digs, while
Erica Sledge dished out 30 assists, and
Lexie Vick added four blocks.
Sledge has eclipsed 350 assists this season, averaging 7.53 per set, and is nearing the 100-point mark. Cox has posted 160 kills (3.33 per set) and has scored 190 points overall.
UIS ranks second in the GLVC in service aces per set (1.84) with 90 total aces, putting the Stars among the league's top serving teams.
The all-time series between UIS and William Jewell is tied 8-8.
William Jewell (1-13, 0-3 GLVC)
The Cardinals fell 3-2 to Southwest Baptist and 3-0 to Drury last weekend. Their last win came against Upper Iowa (3-1) on September 20.
Emma Lea Benney leads WJC with 108 kills (2.35 per set) and 127 total points. Setter Reaghan Bible has 146 assists (3.48 per set), while Madison Roney ranks No. 10 in the GLVC with 0.41 service aces per set (19 total). Alexis Nunnleads the team with 119 digs, followed by Roney with 101.
UIS will look to use its serving strength and balanced attack to pressure the Cardinals' back row and disrupt the rhythm of their top scorers.
Rockhurst (10-5, 3-0 GLVC)
The Hawks enter the weekend following sweeps over Drury and Southwest Baptist. Rockhurst features the GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, Sarah Pyle, who recently surpassed 1,000 career kills. Pyle has 209 kills (3.80 per set)and also leads the team in digs with 184 (3.35 per set).
Katie Vargo adds 182 kills (3.31 per set), while Delaney Hope anchors the defense with 58 blocks (1.05 per set) and ranks fourth in the GLVC in blocks per set. Hope also shares the league lead in hitting percentage at .357.
Pyle currently ranks second in the GLVC in kills per set and third in total points, making her one of the top offensive threats UIS will face this season.
Follow Along
Live statistics will be available online, and both matches will stream on GLVCSN behind a paywall.
Looking ahead, the Prairie Stars await match assignments for the Midwest Region Crossover, set for October 17-18 in Hammond, Indiana, which will be announced following the weekend.
