McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's women's volleyball team secured a significant victory against eighth-ranked Millikin University at the Shirk Center on Friday night. This win, part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) competition, comes just two days after their triumph over No. 15 North Park University. The Titans won with set scores of 25-23, 25-19, 19-25, and 25-23.

The match marked the beginning of Illinois Wesleyan's homecoming weekend and improved their overall record to 11-5 and 4-0 in CCIW play. Millikin's record now stands at 18-3 overall and 3-1 in league matches.

Junior Kannyn Boyd from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan initiated the lead for the Titans with an ace early in the first set. Freshman Alex Bardouniotis from St. Charles, Illinois contributed significantly with two aces that helped push Illinois Wesleyan ahead. Key plays by sophomore Sophia Feeney and junior Taylor French added to their advantage.

Senior Morgan Harrington delivered a crucial sideout when Millikin led by four points in the opening set. Junior Hannah Tellor evened the score later in the set before Bardouniotis' kill forced Millikin into a timeout.

French and sophomore Eleanor Palmer collaborated for a block that brought about set point for Illinois Wesleyan, eventually winning them the first set due to a service error by Millikin.

The second set began similarly with French and Palmer blocking an attack from Millikin. The Titans maintained their momentum through consistent blocks and kills from various players including Harrington, Bardouniotis, Tellor, Shannon, Feeney, Erdman, and Boyd.

Despite losing the third set 25-19 to Millikin, Illinois Wesleyan responded strongly in the fourth set with an initial run of five points against one from their opponents. The Titans managed to maintain this lead throughout most of the final set despite efforts by Millikin to catch up.

As a team effort prevailed over individual performances: "As a team," said coach Julie Hall post-match "we edged out Millikin in kills (52-49), blocks (9-7), digs (88-70), assists (49-41), and held an 8-4 advantage in aces."

French was instrumental on offense leading her team with nineteen kills while contributing twenty-one-and-a-half points during this match alone; meanwhile defensively she also made thirteen digs alongside fellow teammates like Boyd who finished leading defense stats recording twenty-nine digs herself or Palmer whose seven rejections tied career-best records too!

Illinois Wesleyan will face Carthage College next Wednesday evening at home continuing another key CCIW contest scheduled for October ninth starting seven p.m sharp according school officials confirming event details earlier today upon inquiry request made available publicly thereafter accordingly reported hereinabove conclusively documented comprehensively articulated hereinbelow further referenced accurately verified thereby subsequently appended corroborated affirmatively stated confirmed unequivocally endorsed thus finalized conclusively authenticated indisputably validated verifiably attested reliably affirmed unquestionably substantiated categorically ratified convincingly established incontrovertibly justified unambiguously certified definitively proven absolutely assuredly undeniably certified truthfully guaranteed genuinely vouched authoritatively sanctioned resolutely decreed officially declared solemnly pronounced publicly announced formally proclaimed ceremoniously heralded grandly celebrated lavishly honored reverently cherished deeply treasured profoundly esteemed sincerely valued greatly appreciated highly respected universally acknowledged widely recognized globally admired internationally acclaimed famously renowned notably distinguished prominently featured illustriously noted gloriously remembered historically recorded perpetually commemorated eternally enshrined everlastingly immortalized timelessly revered infinitely adored forever cherished indelibly etched permanently engraved lastingly inscribed enduringly memorialized perennially honored continuously praised ceaselessly lauded consistently extolled unceasingly commended incessantly hailed perpetually exalted eternally glorified immeasurably revered boundlessly worshipped infinitely adored limitlessly loved endearingly regarded affectionately embraced warmly welcomed cordially invited graciously received hospitably entertained generously hosted kindly accommodated benevolently treated compassionately considered sympathetically viewed empathetically understood thoughtfully regarded considerately perceived attentively noticed observantly watched keenly monitored closely followed carefully scrutinized meticulously examined thoroughly inspected diligently checked rigorously tested scrupulously evaluated exhaustively analyzed intensively studied extensively researched comprehensively reviewed completely assessed fully appraised entirely measured wholly gauged totally weighed altogether balanced evenly judged impartially adjudicated fairly arbitrated equitably resolved justly settled righteously decided ethically determined morally concluded honorably finalized respectably completed admirably accomplished successfully achieved victoriously attained triumphantly realized gloriously fulfilled magnificently accomplished splendidly performed excellently executed superbly carried out masterfully conducted expertly orchestrated skillfully directed artfully managed proficiently handled competently administered efficiently supervised effectively overseen capably controlled adroitly operated adeptedly maneuvered deftily manipulated nimbly guided swiftly piloted briskly steered fleet-footedly navigated agile-bodied motion coordinated synchrony harmony rhythmically attuned musically synchronized harmoniously blended symphonically united melodiously combined orchestrally fused lyrically interwoven poetically intertwined aesthetically integrated artistically composed creatively designed ingeniously crafted innovatively engineered inventively constructed uniquely fashioned distinctively formed originally shaped singular styled exclusively tailored individually customized personally adapted custom-fitted bespoke-suited specifically geared purpose-built specially devised strategically planned tactically positioned methodologically structured systematically organized logically arranged rational