Decatur, IL— Millikin University women's volleyball concluded the 2026 Big Blue Showdown with two matches. First facing Nebraska Wesleyan University and finishing off against Albion College. Not able to pull past either team with only two total sets on the day, the Big Blue fall to 9-13 on the season.
First up with the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves, the Big Blue got off to a slow start, dropping the first set 25-15 with only seven kills and the Wolves 14.
Fighting back with a .480% hitting percentage, Millikin was able to capture the second 25-21. Maggye Smith picked up seven kills on nine swings, giving her a .778 clip. Kyra Carothers joined her with four on 60% hitting. The team put up a wall will three total blocks.
The last two sets were back and forth with lots of energy, both looking for their first win of the weekend. With the Big Blue under hitting Nebraska Wesleyan again, the Prairie Wolves came out on top with a score of 25-21. Even after outhitting the Wolves, Millikin was out blocked with Wesleyan putting down four team blocks; taking the match 3-1 with a set score 25-22.
Smith led MU with 13 kills and two block assists, Carothers with 11 kills and two block assists. Nikkel Johnson led the team in blocks with one solo and four assists. Carrying the offense were setters Alyssa Frederking and Haylee Porter with a combined 39 assists on the team's 45 kills. Francesca Brandonisio led in the backrow with a match-high 14 digs.
The second match to close the weekend was with the Britons of Albion. The timeline was similar with the Big Blue dropping the first, taking the second, and losing the third and fourth (21-25, 25-18, 22-25, 18-25).
The opening set was close to an even battle with both teams marking 13 kills, one total block, and double digit assists and digs. With the Britons making more scoring runs, they came out stronger.
Hitting .429 as a team was Millikin in set two with 15 kills on 28 attacks, forcing Albion to a .100 percentage after three Big Blue denials at the net.
Albion did not let up after falling in the second, finding ways to remain aggressive with 24 kills across the two final sets; they conquered the Big Blue three sets to one.
Smith and Carothers finished in the double digits again with 13 and 12 kills apiece. Elle Richards broke out with 11 kills and three block assists, and Johnson had nine kills with four more block assists. Distributing the offense once again were Frederking and Porter with 40 additional handouts to their team. Brandonisio picked up 16 more kills, finishing with 30 on the day.
The program closed the weekend with a moment to honor their Senior Class of 2027—Kyra Carothers, Gabriella Ricci, Alyssa Frederking, Elle Richards, and Charley Condill. "It is even more meaningful because we get to recognize a special group of young women who have given so much to this program," says Interim Head Coach Hannah Dick; mentioning the way the team has continued to compete through adversity while showing willingness to fight for each other. "I am completely grateful for [the senior's] leadership, commitment, and the impact they've made both on and off the court."
Volleyball has a week off, and will return to Griswold Center Friday, October 17 for a Collegiate Conference in Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) contest with Elmhurst University. First whistle is set for 7PM, also being streamed on the CCIW Network.
