McLean County Times

For the first time this season, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team has claimed all three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Player of the Week honors. The announcement was made by the conference on Monday, November 3.

Seniors Taylor French and Kannyn Boyd were recognized as hitter and defensive player of the week, respectively. Junior Sophia Feeney received setter of the week honors. This recognition follows a successful week for Illinois Wesleyan, during which they secured three wins—including two against top-five opponents—and clinched the CCIW Regular Season Championship outright. It marks the first occasion in program history that Illinois Wesleyan has won consecutive championships.

According to CCIW records, this is only the second instance since 2023—when weekly awards expanded to three categories—that one team has swept all honors in a single week. The same trio achieved this feat previously on October 7, 2024.

The latest accolades bring Illinois Wesleyan's total weekly honors for this season to 13. Taylor French earned her fourth honor of the year and thirteenth overall in her career; it is also the sixth hitter award for IWU this season. Sophia Feeney collected her second setter honor of her junior year and third career accolade. Kannyn Boyd now holds five defensive awards for Illinois Wesleyan this season and four in her career.

Other Titans who have received weekly CCIW recognition include Alex Bardouniotis (hitter), Hannah Tellor (defensive), Eleanor Palmer (defensive), and Alysa Lawton (defensive).

Taylor French led offensively with 51 kills over three matches—averaging 4.64 per set—and became Illinois Wesleyan’s all-time kills leader with her 1,778th kill on October 29, surpassing former player Tyler White. She also contributed defensively with 35 digs, seven aces, four blocks, and an assist across those matches.

French’s performance included a double-double against Carroll University with 13 kills and 13 digs; a strong showing versus No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with 17 kills at a .452 attack percentage; and a standout effort against No. 5 Juniata College where she recorded 21 kills on Senior Day.

Sophia Feeney helped orchestrate the offense by leading with 65 assists during the week—averaging nearly six per set—and contributing nine aces along with defensive support through digs.

Kannyn Boyd anchored defense by recording an average of five digs per set over three matches while helping limit opponents’ hitting percentages below .200.

Illinois Wesleyan will conclude its regular season at home against Augustana College on Wednesday night at Shirk Center.