Millikin Athletics

Bloomington, IL-- Millikin University women's volleyball returned to Illinois Wesleyan University for a day of play Saturday morning in the IWU Tournament. The Big Blue faced the national receiving voted University of California, Santa Cruz, competing to upset the Slugs in five sets. 

To open the match, nine of the Big Blue players put up 15 kills altogether, led by Elle Richards with four at a .667 hitting percentage. It was tough for Santa Cruz to score with a MU team total of three team blocks and 14 digs, led by Francesca Brandonisio with six digs early on. 

Evening things out, the Slugs took set two 25-18 with a total of 14 kills at a .423 clip. They were also able to pick up three team blocks with nine digs to slow down the Milliken offense; the Big Blue still were able to earn 13 kills of their own, but it wasn't enough. 

"Our biggest focus was ourselves, controlling what we could, staying together, and competing through adversity," says Interim Head Coach Hannah Dick. The Big Blue were not going to let a dropped set slow them down, giving it right back to the Slugs to take set three 25-21 after seven ties and two score changes. Richards picked up another five kills to total 14 on the match, joined by Maggye Smith and Kyra Carothers with three each. 

The strong team of Santa Cruz was not going down without a fight, taking all momentum in the fourth. UCSC had 14 kills to Millikin's nine kills, which gave them the upper hand along with winning the side out battle; winning the fourth 25-16 to extend the match to five sets, first to 15. 

With this being only the second fifth-setter all season, the Big Blue handled the pressure well by evenly distributing the ball and staying grounded. Outscoring the Slugs with eight kills on .278% allowed the Millikin to take the match 15-12. 

Carothers completed the contest with nine kills, two service aces, and seven blocks. Gabriella Ricci and Smith finished with eight kills apiece, and Nikkel Johnson seven kills to top off her three solo blocks and block assist. 

Elle Richards finished the match with a match and season-high 19 kills to tie her career-high on an extraordinary .378 hitting efficiency with four blocks. "What stood out to me most was how freely she played. She was aggressive, trusted herself, and really stepped up for us in some big moments," expressed Coach Dick. "It was so rewarding to see her playing with that kind of confidence." 

The Big Blue improved to 13-14 overall as they are going into the last stretch of Collegiate Conference in Illinois and Wisconsin play. "This was a pivotal match for us as we prepare for our final CCIW matchup. I'm proud of the fight this group continues to show, and I hope we carry that same energy, confidence, and determination into our next match," closes Dick. 

Millikin volleyball returns to the court on Wednesday, November 4 versus North Park with first serve set for 7PM in Griswold Center.