BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Fresh off of the team's first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin victory of the year, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's volleyball team is slated to battle another team inside the American Volleyball Coaches Association's top-15 poll in No. 7 Carthage College. The reigning 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Champions, Carthage, owns a 7-3 overall record along with a 3-0 conference mark. The Green and White enter the match with a 6-7 (1-2 CCIW) record. 

The Titans and Firebirds have met on two previous occasions with Carthage coming out victorious in both matches. 

The Titans last played Tuesday, Feb. 22 against Millikin University. Sophomore KJ Johnson (Saint John, Ind.-Marian Catholic) paced the Green and White with 10 kills and seven digs in the contest. IWU swept the Big Blue in straight sets en route to the team's first CCIW victory of the season.

Meanwhile, Carthage last battled with CCIW rival North Park University Wednesday, Feb. 23. The reigning champions took down NPU in straight sets to up the Cardinals CCIW mark to 3-1.

On the year, sophomore Michael Eastman (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Ignatius) and Johnson have both surpassed the century mark for total kills. Eastman has notched 144 while Johnson sits at 104. With 13 matches into the season, both players have set new career-highs in kills from the teams first year competing in 2021.

Freshman Vince DiCosola (Aurora, Ill.-Oswego East) is one assist shy of 200 for the year with his total of 199. Sophomore Bradley Benson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont Township) is enjoying a successful season with 176 assists along with 10 aces. 

Eastman tops the team with his 27 aces, while DiCosola has produced 15.

On the defensive side of the ball, Johnson has produced a team-high 104 digs. His all-around counterpart, Eastman, has racked up 67 digs. 

Freshman Jake Kougan (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East) is pacing the Green and White with his 33 rejections. Sophomore Julian Perez (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) owns 26 blocks on the year.

Live video of the match can be found by clicking here, while live stats can be accessed by clicking here. 

To stay up to date on all things Illinois Wesleyan men's volleyball, be sure to follow the team's social media accounts for Instagram (@IWUMENSVOLLEYBALL) and Twitter (@IWUMVB).