McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team is set to host Wheaton College in the semifinals of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament on Thursday, November 13. The match will take place at 7 p.m. at the Shirk Center.

Illinois Wesleyan, currently ranked No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll—the highest in program history—secured a bye for the first round after finishing their conference season undefeated and clinching their second consecutive CCIW Regular Season Championship. This marks the first time IWU has won back-to-back titles.

Several members of the team received recognition with All-CCIW awards announced earlier this week. Senior Taylor French was named CCIW Offensive Player of the Year for a third consecutive season, becoming the first player in conference history to win a specialty award three times. French also became the first Titan to be named First Team All-CCIW in all four seasons. Junior Sophia Feeney earned CCIW Setter of the Year honors and joined French on the First Team, while IWU's coaching staff was recognized as Coaching Staff of the Year.

Other Titans receiving First Team honors include seniors Hannah Tellor and Kannyn Boyd, junior Eleanor Palmer, and sophomore Alex Bardouniotis. Freshman Lauren O'Brien made Second Team All-CCIW.

Offensively, Illinois Wesleyan averages 14.06 kills per set, ranking second nationally behind East Texas Baptist. Taylor French leads with 363 kills (4.08 per set), while Bardouniotis and Tellor follow with 268 and 184 kills respectively. French also leads in service aces with 67 this season, ranking her among national leaders.

Feeney and O'Brien direct an offense that ranks sixth nationally in assists per set (12.75). Feeney has recorded 514 assists so far this year; O'Brien has contributed 465.

On defense, Kannyn Boyd leads with 377 digs (4.54 per set), followed by Bardouniotis and French who each average over three digs per set. At the net, Palmer and Tellor have each registered 56 blocks this season.

Illinois Wesleyan holds a historical advantage over Wheaton in their all-time series dating back to 1994, leading 34-11 and winning their last four encounters—including a straight-set victory earlier this season where Bardouniotis led with 12 kills.

Wheaton enters Thursday’s match following a five-set win over Carroll University in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

The match will be available via livestream for fans unable to attend.