McLean County Times

After opening the 2024 season on the road, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team will play its home opener amid one of three home tournaments. The Titans (1-2) will host the Crafted Classic, sponsored by Crafted Commons, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7. DePauw University, Loras College, and Webster University will travel to the Shirk Center for the weekend.

Illinois Wesleyan opens the tournament against DePauw (2-1) on Friday night, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. The following day, Saturday, Sept. 7, the Green and White will match up against Loras (2-1) and Webster (2-1) at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

The Titans began their 2024 campaign in Springfield, Ohio, at the Wittenberg Fall Classic. IWU started with a sweep over No. 24 Mount St. Joseph University before falling to Otterbein University in three sets and Baldwin-Wallace University in five sets. During this period, junior Taylor French surpassed the 1000 career kills mark, becoming the 17th Titan in program history to achieve this milestone.

Through three matches, French leads the Green and White offense with 44 kills, averaging four kills per set. Freshman Alex Bardouniotis sits second on the squad with 19 kills, followed closely by junior Hannah Tellor with 18 kills. Fifth-year Jordan Pierce has orchestrated most of the offense with a total of 79 assists for an average of 7.18 per set. Senior Abby Erdman's tally of 15 assists is second on the team while junior Kannyn Boyd rounds out the top three helpers with eight assists.

French and Pierce recorded nine and five aces respectively during the opening weekend at the service line. Boyd and Bardouniotis each contributed four aces.

On defense, Boyd accumulated a team-high of 51 digs over 11 sets as libero, averaging 4.64 digs per set. French follows with 33 digs while Pierce has added another 28 digs to her name. Leading net protection efforts were Tellor with five blocks—two solo and three assisted—Pierce with four rejections; senior Morgan Harrington and freshman Hailey Rak each recorded three blocks.

The Green and White will face DePauw for the tenth time in program history since their series began in 1995; IWU holds a record of seven wins to two losses but dropped their most recent contest in five sets on Sept.14,2018.

Saturday's game against Loras marks their fifth meeting; IWU has won their last three encounters after losing their inaugural match-up on Sept.29,2001.The teams have not faced off since Sept .27 ,2008 when IWU claimed victory in five sets.

In closing out the tournament against Webster for their ninth meeting ,IWU aims to improve its record from five wins to three losses.IWU won their last two meetings including a straight-set victory inside Shirk Center on Nov .1 ,2023 where French led an impressive offensive performance hitting .406 attack percentage alongside her double-double effort comprising16 kills &11 digs.Pierce led assists totaling20 .

All six matches for this tournament will be live-streamed.Court One featuring all IWU matches will have men's volleyball players Vince DiCosola & Hayden Warfiend calling contests.A link providing details regarding matchups,times,&live stats can be accessed here.