McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is set to host Carroll University in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) match on Wednesday, October 29. The Titans, currently ranked No. 6 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll, hold a 20-2 overall record and are undefeated in conference play at 6-0. A victory against Carroll would secure the CCIW Regular Season Championship outright for Illinois Wesleyan for the second consecutive year, which would be a first in program history.

“There was no movement within the top-seven teams,” according to the latest AVCA poll released Tuesday, October 28. La Verne remains at No. 1, followed by East Texas Baptist, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Eau Claire, and Juniata. Illinois Wesleyan will also face two of these top-five teams—UW-Oshkosh and Juniata—during the IWU Tournament III scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

The Titans enter this match following a sweep over Millikin University on Friday night. Junior Sophia Feeney led the offense with 22 assists as the team posted a .277 hitting percentage. Senior Taylor French contributed 11 kills and 12 digs, while sophomore Alex Bardouniotis added double figures in both categories as well.

French leads Illinois Wesleyan in kills this season with 297 at an average of nearly four per set and maintains an attack percentage of .242. She is approaching a program milestone: needing just 12 more kills to surpass former player Tyler White’s all-time record of 1,777 career kills. Bardouniotis has tallied 220 kills so far this season, while senior Hannah Tellor ranks third with 153.

The Titans’ offense averages nearly 14 kills per set, placing them fifth nationally in that category. French also leads in service aces with 59 this season; her average ranks her among Division III’s best.

Setters Feeney and freshman Lauren O’Brien have directed much of the offensive play throughout the year. Together they have helped produce one of the top assist-per-set averages nationally.

On defense, senior Kannyn Boyd tops the team with over four digs per set; Bardouniotis and French follow closely behind. Tellor leads in blocks with Palmer not far behind.

Illinois Wesleyan holds a strong advantage historically against Carroll University with a record of ten wins out of eleven meetings since their first encounter in 1995. Last season’s matchup saw IWU defeat Carroll to clinch the regular season title outright after going undefeated in conference play.

Carroll enters Wednesday’s contest at 15-12 overall and even at three wins apiece within CCIW competition after sweeping Wheaton College last Friday.

Live streaming coverage will be available online for fans unable to attend. The event will also feature Camper Night promotions allowing free entry for campers wearing their shirts along with one accompanying adult.