BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - After sweeping its way through the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin semifinals in convincing fashion, the top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team will square off against No. 2 seed Carthage College with a CCIW Tournament Championship on the line Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. inside the Shirk Center. IWU comes into this contest with an overall record of 18-12 (7-1 CCIW), while the Firebirds boast a record of 20-12 (6-2 CCIW). 

IWU took down fifth-ranked Millikin, Nov. 4, in straight sets to propel the Titans to their first CCIW Tournament Championship appearance since 2018. Carthage earned its way into the championship match after defeating No. 6 North Park in four sets in the semifinal round, Nov. 4. 

The Titans and Firebirds most recently squared off Oct. 27 in Illinois Wesleyan's regular season finale. IWU swept Carthage to solidify the No. 1 overall seed and home court advantage throughout the conference tournament. However, Carthage holds a 29-20 overall record against the Green and White all-time. Before being defeated a week ago, the Firebirds were on a three-game win streak versus IWU.

As a team, Illinois Wesleyan ranks first in the CCIW with 11.73 assists per set and 12.47 kills per set. The Titans clip of 17.01 digs per set checks in at second in the conference.

For the season, senior Courtney McAuliffe (Lemont, Ill. - Lemont) leads the Green and White with her 281 kills and 111 blocks. As of Nov. 3, McAuliffe ranks 11th in NCAA Division III for total blocks.   

Senior Jessica McCall (Wayne, Ill. - Wheaton St. Francis) has put together a solid all-around season for the Green and White. Her 215 kills, 271 digs, and 33 service aces all rank second on the team.

Senior Madi Corey (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) and freshman Ava Porada (Frankfort, Ill. - Lincoln-Way East) have racked up a total of 1,048 assists. Corey has accumulated 549 assists while Porada has notched 499.

Defensively, sophomore Faith Washko (Springfield, Ill. - Sacred Heart-Griffin) tops the Green and White with her 298 digs. 

Live video for the match can be found by clicking here. Live stats for the match can be found by clicking here. Ticket prices for the tournament will be $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, students, and children ages 6-14. Current Illinois Wesleyan students can attend for free with their student ID, while no other passes will be accepted.