The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team continued its strong start to the season with a 3-0 victory over DePauw University on Wednesday, September 10. The Titans, ranked 14th nationally, improved their record to 7-0, marking the best opening in program history.
Sophomore Alex Bardouniotis led Illinois Wesleyan's offense with 11 kills and added 14 digs for her third double-double of the season. Senior Taylor French contributed 10 kills, while junior Cailin Shannon and freshman Carly Whitaker each recorded seven kills. Junior Sophia Feeney set up the attack with a match-high 19 assists, and freshman Lauren O'Brien followed closely with 17 assists. Both O'Brien and French also registered two service aces each.
Defensively, Bardouniotis led in digs, while sophomore Alysa Lawton and O'Brien finished with 11 apiece. French and senior Hannah Tellor each posted three blocks at the net, and junior Eleanor Palmer added two blocks.
Illinois Wesleyan finished the match with 50 kills and hit above .200 in all three sets. The Titans limited DePauw to a .167 hitting percentage and outperformed them in several statistical categories: aces (7-2), blocks (6-4), assists (42-29), and digs (59-53).
During the first set, after trailing by one point late, Illinois Wesleyan regained control following key plays from Shannon, O'Brien, Palmer, French, Tellor, and Feeney. The Titans secured the set after an ace from Feeney brought up set point.
In the second set, Illinois Wesleyan used a six-point run early to take command. Kills from Bardouniotis and Shannon along with two aces from O'Brien extended their lead before closing out the set at 25-16.
The third set saw Illinois Wesleyan come back from a six-point deficit. Key contributions came from Shannon, Palmer, Boyd, French, Tellor, and Bardouniotis as they rallied to win the final set 25-22.
Illinois Wesleyan will have a break over the weekend before starting College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play against Wheaton College on Wednesday night at King Arena.
Alerts Sign-up