Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team took part in the WashU Invite Oct. 9, in St. Louis, Mo. The Green and White battled No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and No. 23 Washington University. In the opening match, IWU fell to No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in straight sets (25-10, 25-8, 25-23). In the night cap, the Titans defeated No. 23 WashU in straight sets (30-28, 25-23, 25-17). After today's competition, IWU's record stands at 11-10.

The Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks led from start to finish. For the Green and White, seniors Dana Kiszkowski (Schaumburg, Ill. - Schaumburg) and Courtney McAuliffe (Lemont, Ill. - Lemont) led the offensive attack with seven kills apiece. Senior Jessica McCall (Wayne, Ill. - Wheaton St. Francis) notched six kills in the contest for the Titans. 

Senior Madi Corey (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) accumulated a team-high 15 assists while freshman Ava Porada (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) produced 10 assists. 

For the IWU defense, sophomore libero Faith Washko (Springfield, Ill. - Sacred Heart-Griffin) finished the match with a team-high 16 digs along with the team's only ace. McCall and Corey both recorded seven digs.

The relentless Warhawk defense kept IWU's potent offense in check by allowing the Titans to muster a .000 hitting percentage for the match. In comparison, Wisconsin-Whitewater hit an impressive .232 clip, while producing a .321 hitting percentage in the opening set. 

IWU produced a 50-49 dig advantage over Whitewater to go along with a 27-26 assist edge. The Warhawks enjoyed an edge in aces (3-1) and blocks (10-3). Both teams manufactured 30 kills.

In the second half of the double-dip, IWU caught stride en route to upsetting No. 23 WashU in straight sets. In the opening set, the Titans saw an early 11-5 deficit. After a Green and White timeout, Illinois Wesleyan used a seven point run that included two kills apiece from McAuliffe and sophomore Lily Summers (Plainfield, Ill. - Plainfield North) to take a 12-11 lead. With the score tied at 28 all, Summers put down back-to-back kills with assists from senior Riley Cross (Arlington Heights, Ill. - Buffalo Grove) to take the first set 30-28.

The second set was a back-and-forth affair that saw the score even at 20-20. IWU capitalized on three attack errors by the Bears in the final five points to escape with a 25-23 victory.

The third and final set was dominated by the Green and White. A service ace made the score 4-3, in favor of the Titans. From this point on, Illinois Wesleyan would not relinquish the lead. With the score 21-15, IWU used two aces from Cross and two kills by Corey to sweep the Bears and to win the third set, 25-17.

McAuliffe led the Titans offense with 11 kills while capturing a .368 hitting percentage. Summer added 10 kills. McCall notched seven kills to go along with her team leading three service aces.

Washko's match leading 19 digs paved the way for the Green and White offense. McCall and Corey both accumulated 14 digs.

Corey and Porada captured 19 and 13 assists, respectively. 

IWU enjoyed advantages in kills (42-39), digs (76-72), hitting percentage (.186-.154), aces (8-4), and assists (39-35).

The Green and White will return to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action Wednesday, Oct. 13 to battle Carroll University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Van Male Fieldhouse in Waukesha, Wis.