Illinois Wesleyan defeats St. Olaf to reach NCAA volleyball regional championship
Illinois Wesleyan University's women's volleyball team advanced to the NCAA regional championship after defeating St. Olaf College in a five-set match at the Shirk Center on Friday, November 21. The Titans, now holding a 28-2 record, overcame the Oles (27-9) with set scores of 25-19, 28-26, 21-25, 25-14, and 15-8.
In the decisive fifth set, Illinois Wesleyan trailed early but rallied with key plays from Cailin Shannon and Eleanor Palmer. Alex Bardouniotis contributed an ace that shifted momentum as the teams switched sides. Lauren O'Brien assisted Taylor French for a kill that extended IWU's lead and forced St. Olaf to call a timeout.
Despite attempts by St. Olaf to recover, Illinois Wesleyan maintained control. Kannyn Boyd made a crucial dig and Bardouniotis set up French for another kill before Hannah Tellor scored match point. Boyd finished the game with an ace to secure the Titans' place in the regional championship.
French led her team offensively with 20 kills and a .241 hitting percentage. Bardouniotis recorded 12 kills and three aces while Carly Whitaker had a career-high of 11 kills on .368 hitting. The Titans totaled 11 aces as a team.
On defense, Boyd collected 24 digs and Bardouniotis added 13 for a double-double performance. Palmer registered four blocks while Sophia Feeney provided nearly her career-high with 30 assists; O'Brien added another 22 assists.
The first set saw Illinois Wesleyan pull ahead after back-to-back aces from Bardouniotis and further contributions from Boyd and French. In the second set, facing a six-point deficit at one stage, Whitaker tipped one on the line sparking a comeback aided by Raegan Watts’ serving run. The Titans saved multiple set points before winning it in extra points.
Although St. Olaf won sets three and four, Illinois Wesleyan regrouped in time to win the final set decisively.
With this victory, Illinois Wesleyan advances to face Calvin University in the regional championship match scheduled for Saturday night at Shirk Center.