Dupage Policy Journal

The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's volleyball season remains highly competitive as teams completed another week of conference play. Illinois Wesleyan, ranked seventh nationally by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), maintained its unbeaten record in league action and reclaimed its highest-ever national ranking.

Illinois Wesleyan, now 15-1 overall and 4-0 in CCIW games, leads the conference in several statistical categories including hitting percentage (.232), kills per set (13.60), and service aces per set (2.77). Senior Taylor French tops the CCIW with 4.85 points per set and also leads in service aces at 0.85 per set. Defensively, Kannyn Boyd is first in digs per set with 4.69.

Following closely behind is North Central, which improved to a 14-4 record after a three-set win over North Park, keeping its conference record perfect at 3-0. The Cardinals are third in hitting percentage (.216) and second in kills per set (12.50). Sarah Harvey leads the conference with 10.35 assists per set.

Other notable performances include Millikin’s comeback victory over Wheaton, rallying from two sets down for a five-set win to move to 2-1 in league play. Millikin averages nearly two blocks per set, with Kyra Carothers tied for second individually at 1.09 blocks per set.

North Park earned its 16th win of the season last Friday but fell to North Central midweek, bringing its conference record to 2-2. The Vikings are second in hitting percentage (.217) and service aces per set (2.61). Annaliese Rottman leads the league with 3.97 kills per set.

Carthage moved to a 13-7 overall mark following matches against top-ten nationally ranked opponents last week and currently leads the CCIW in blocks per set at 2.17. Kristina Manojlovic is second among scorers with an average of 4.20 points per set.

Elmhurst has shown improvement recently despite a loss to Monmouth last weekend, winning three of its last four matches. Setter Freddie Temple ranks third among all CCIW players with an average of 8.47 assists per set.

Wheaton split its recent matches, sweeping Wisconsin Lutheran before losing to Millikin in five sets. The Thunder have one of the strongest defenses statistically, leading the conference by holding opponents to a .097 hitting percentage.

Carroll secured its first conference victory by sweeping Augustana last week and sits fourth in blocks per set (1.52). Freshman Bronwyn Rowse is fourth in kills per set at 3.52.

Augustana continues searching for its first league win despite ranking third among all teams for digs per set (15.13).

Three student-athletes were recognized as CCIW Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week: Alex Bardouniotis and Eleanor Palmer from Illinois Wesleyan, and Kendal Britton from North Park.

Bardouniotis contributed nine kills on a .533 attack percentage during Illinois Wesleyan's sweep at North Park, along with eleven digs, two aces, and a block.

Britton tallied fifty assists during North Park’s four-set win over Governors State and averaged more than ten assists per set across two matches that week while adding two digs per set.

Palmer played a key defensive role for Illinois Wesleyan at North Park with four blocks and seven kills.

Looking ahead, Illinois Wesleyan will host fellow unbeaten North Central next Wednesday at the Shirk Center for sole possession of first place in the standings.