Match #15
Lindenwood (8-6, 2-0 OVC)
vs. Western Illinois (8-5, 2-0 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 1
Start Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Macomb, Ill. | Western Hall
Live Stats: Stats
Watch: ESPN+

Matchup
Lindenwood's women volleyball has an early test against the Leathernecks of Western Illinois on Tuesday, Oct. 1st in Macomb, Ill. Both teams enter this midweek match 2-0 on the season to start Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Lions have won four out of their last five matches this season and are coming off back-to-back sweeps of EIU. That marked the first time in Lindenwood's Division I history they have swept a team in back-to-back matches. Western Illinois has won six matches in a row, the longest streak in the OVC.

Lindenwood's offense was efficient last weekend against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois posting 19.33 points per match, the best in the OVC. The Lions also were first in hitting percentage with a .288 and second in opponent hitting percentage allowing EIU to hit just .127 in six sets.

Western Illinois hosted SIUE last weekend en route to a 2-0 record. The Leathernecks were right behind Lindenwood in hitting percentage last weekend with a .281. They also were third in total kills (110) and second in kills per set with an average of 15.71.

Preseason OVC Rankings
The OVC released their 2024 women's volleyball preseason poll earlier this season where Lindenwood was selected to finish in fifth place. The Lions had the third best record in the conference last season earning as the third seed at the OVC Tournament.

Southeast Missouri State was voted as the preseason favorite in 2024 with six first-place votes and a total of 167 points. Last year's OVC Champions Eastern Illinois was picked to finish right behind them with 166 points and five first place votes.

Morehead State (163 points/five first-place votes), Tennessee Tech (152 points/four first-place votes) and Lindenwood (145 points/one first-place vote) round out the top five in the OVC poll. The top five schools were separate by just 22 points.

Lindenwood also landed two players on the Preseason All-OVC team. Nyah Wilson and Jessie Seidel were selected after both received Second Team All-OVC honors last season. Allie Otten was voted as a player to watch as she returns for her sixth season.

Last Weekend Recap
Hyland Arena hosted Lindenwood's first two OVC matches of the season last weekend as the Lions swept Eastern Illinois in back-to-back matches. The Lions were one of four teams in the conference to sweep their opening opponent including Western Ill.

The two-time OVC Freshman of the Week Autumn Bax led the team in kills over EIU with 21 in six sets. She averaged 3.50 kills per set while hitting .333. Bax also added two solo blocks during the second match against the Panthers.

Setter Allie Otten was impressive over the weekend with 71 assists averaging 11.83 per set. She also picked up 19 digs and four blocks. Libero Jessie Seidel led the Lions in digs with 23. She needs just 38 to become the first Lion in the NCAA era to have over 2,000 digs.

Lindenwood's offense was able to spread the wealth last weekend as they had five Lions posted over 12 kills against Eastern Illinois in two matches. Ashley Geluck (16), Nyah Wilson (16), Rebecca Janke (15) and Addy McAleer (12) all had 10+ kills.

Player To Watch
Ashley Geluck is one of five Lions this season with at least 100 kills (106). She was second on the team in kills last weekend against Eastern Illinois with 16. Geluck has four matches with over 10+ kills including a season-high 14 in a win over Montana.

Geluck is currently third on the team in hitting percentage (min. 100 attack attempts) with a .243. She is also second on the team in blocks with 31.0 total blocks (12 solo/19 assists). Geluck has seven aces as well for Lindenwood.

OVC Top Ten Stats
Janke and Bax remain in the top ten for hitting percentage in the OVC after their performances last weekend. Janke ranks fourth with a .325 HP% while Bax ranks ninth with a .298. Of those qualified for HP%, Janke is third in kills with 112 and Bax is fifth with 100.

Otten continues her strong season as setter ranking fourth in the conference in assists per set with an average of 8.51. Her 468 total assist also ranks fourth. Seidel ranks fourth defensively in digs per set after averaging 4.53. She is tied for second in total digs with 249.

Scouting the Opponent
Western Illinois Category Leaders    
Kills: Keyana Cruse - 224
Assists: Maggie Craker - 477
Aces: Keyana Cruse - 13
Digs: Karli Wenzel - 249
Blocks: Keyana Cruse - 34.0

Up Next:
Lindenwood travels across the river to Edwardsville, Ill. to take on the Cougars of SIUE on Friday, Oct. 4th and Saturday, Oct. 5th. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.