McLean County Times

For the first time in three decades, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team will open its season at home. The Titans, ranked 19th nationally, are set to host the IWU Tournament I on August 29-30 at Shirk Center. The tournament includes Earlham College, Greenville University, and No. 20 University of Chicago.

Illinois Wesleyan will begin play against Earlham on Friday, August 29 at 6 p.m., followed by two matches on Saturday against Greenville at 10 a.m. and Chicago at 12:30 p.m.

Head Coach Kim Nelson-Brown is entering her 30th season with the program. She returns a core group from last year's team that reached the NCAA Tournament Regional Championship, matching the program's best finish. All four All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) honorees from last season return: Taylor French and Hannah Tellor as first team selections, Kannyn Boyd and Sophia Feeney as second team picks. French has been named CCIW Offensive Player of the Year twice and was an American Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-Region selection, also earning her third All-American honorable mention award. Boyd received recognition as a College Sports Communicators Third Team Academic All-America honoree, becoming the first IWU women's volleyball player since 1998 to earn this distinction. Alex Bardouniotis, last season's conference newcomer of the year, also returns for her sophomore year.

Six freshmen will make their collegiate debuts for Illinois Wesleyan: Audrey Chizzo, Carly Whitaker, Addi Hale, Shelby Sennett, Ashlyn Rager, and Lauren O'Brien.

The Titans face Earlham for just the fourth time in program history; they aim to even the series after sweeping Earlham in their last meeting in September 2022. In that match, French led with 10 kills while Raegan Watts recorded five aces.

Against Greenville University—a matchup occurring for only the third time—the Titans have won both previous meetings in four sets each. In their most recent contest in September 2022, French had a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs; Faith Washko set a program record with 40 digs in a four-set match.

The opening weekend concludes against Chicago. The all-time series stands at 11-9 in favor of Chicago; Illinois Wesleyan lost their last encounter in November 2024 but advanced further than Chicago in that season’s NCAA regional tournament.

Further information about the tournament schedule and live coverage can be accessed through links provided by Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics.