Dupage Policy Journal

As the College Conference of Wisconsin and Illinois (CCIW) women's volleyball season moves into October, teams across the league are competing for top positions in conference play. Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) continues to be a strong presence nationally, ranking eighth in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll with 1,485 points. This marks a one-spot drop from the previous week, while La Verne remains at number one.

Carthage and North Park also received recognition in the national rankings, earning 21 and nine points respectively.

This week, three athletes were named CCIW Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week: Meg Rothermel from North Park, Sarah Harvey from North Central, and Grace Autry from Wheaton. Rothermel achieved a career-high 18.5 points in North Park's win over Carroll. Harvey averaged 9.50 assists over 14 sets last week and recorded 10 service aces in a single match against St. Mary’s (Ind.), which is "the second-most aces in a match by a Division III player this season and the fourth-most aces in NCC history." Autry helped Wheaton secure a perfect record last week by averaging 4.20 digs per set.

Illinois Wesleyan's best-ever unbeaten start ended with a loss to Hope but they remain undefeated in conference play at 3-0 and hold an overall record of 14-1. The Titans' offense ranks eighth nationally in kills per set (13.65), and they lead the CCIW in total service aces (137) as well as service aces per set (2.80). Senior Taylor French broke program records for career service aces and career points on September 27.

North Central stands at 13-4 after splitting matches during their trip to Indiana. The Cardinals have limited opponents to a .119 hitting percentage this season while averaging 12.50 kills per set offensively. Sophomore Sarah Harvey leads both her team and the conference with an average of 10.35 assists per set, ranking ninth nationally.

North Park has reached a record of 15-3 overall and holds two wins against CCIW rivals after recent matches against Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan. The Vikings are tied for eleventh nationally with 172 total service aces this season.

Wheaton leads all CCIW teams with sixteen wins following six consecutive victories since September 19. They currently hold opponents to an average hitting percentage of .103—the lowest among league teams—and rank second in both assists per set (11.80) and kills per set (12.62).

Carthage completed five matches within five days, winning twice against Augsburg and Edgewood to reach an overall record of 11-5.

Millikin's Addison Oyer surpassed the milestone of 1,000 career kills during last Saturday’s sweep against Franklin; Millikin is second among CCIW teams for blocks per set at 1.98.

Elmhurst has won three straight matches—its second such streak this season—including its first home sweep over Millikin since 2016.

Augustana improved its non-conference record with three wins at Carver Center last weekend but is still seeking its first conference victory.

Carroll enters Friday’s game against Augustana coming off back-to-back wins over Benedictine and MSOE, improving their season record to nine wins out of seventeen matches played.

The next round of games will see several key matchups as teams continue their pursuit of top spots within the conference standings.