Jacksonville, IL - Nebraska Wesleyan volleyball earned its second straight victory over Illinois College, before defeating Monmouth in five sets to complete a perfect 4-0 trip to Jacksonville, Illinois.

HOW IT HAPPENED
ILLINOIS COLLEGE MATCH
Nebraska Wesleyan continued its dominance from Friday, securing a 25-19 first set victory that saw the two teams go back and forth early, before Nebraska Wesleyan pulled away with an 11-5 run to claim the set. Set two saw Illinois College win their first set in two matches against NWU, 25-19. The Prairie Wolves rebounded in set three, bursting out to a 12-5 lead before the Lady Blues cut the lead to one with an 8-2 run. A kill by Molly Ramirez kick started a four point run for NWU, which put the Prairie Wolves up 18-13. The Lady Blues attempted to get back in the match with a 4-2 run, but a kill by Jera Schuerman helped Nebraska Wesleyan close the set on a 5-2 run to win 25-19. In set four, the Black and Gold took it to Illinois College, leading from start to finish and winning 25-12. Macy Plucker and Jera Schuerman led the Prairie Wolves offensively, recording 11 and 10 kills respectively. The win improved Nebraska Wesleyan to 9-2 on the season. 
 

MONMOUTH MATCH
The Prairie Wolves and Scots battled early in set one, with Monmouth leading NWU 10-9 early in set one. Macy Plucker and Jera Schuerman put the Black and Gold ahead 11-10 with back to back kills and NWU never looked back, going on an explosive 16-2 run to win set one 25-12. Nebraska Wesleyan continued to play well throughout set two, leading 19-17 after a kill by Grayson Piening and a Monmouth attack error. However, the Scots took control and claimed eight of the next nine points to win 25-20. Monmouth pushed NWU to the brink after taking a back and forth set three 25-22. With their back against the wall, Nebraska Wesleyan jumped out to a 7-1 lead, before Monmouth answered with three straight points. From there the two teams went back and forth before Nebraska Wesleyan grew its lead to 15-8 on an Elecea Saathoff ace. Nebraska Wesleyan would go onto secure a 25-19 win to push the match to the final set. In set five, NWU built a quick 4-1 lead, before Monmouth answered with a 3-1 run to make the score 5-4. The Prairie Wolves doubled up the Scots with a 3-0 rallly, but Monmouth punched back by claiming four of the next five points. With momentum hanging in the balance, Ella Foote delivered a clutch kill to put NWU up 10-8. NWU claimed four of the next five points to go ahead 14-9. However, Monmouth wouldn't quit and cut the lead to 14-12. Any hope of a Monmouth comeback was dashed by a match clinching  Molly Ramirez kill. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE VS ILLINOIS COLLEGE
Macy Plucker: 11 kills, 1 ace, 7 digs
Jera Schuerman: 10 kills, 2 digs
Elecea Saathoff: 32 assists, 7 digs
Raegan Holle: 14 digs, 1 assist

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE VS MONMOUTH
Molly Ramirez: 16 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs
Jera Schuerman: 13 kills, 1 ace, 4 digs
Elecea Saathoff: 47 assists, 10 digs
Raegan Holle: 17 digs, 2 assists
Kobie Patten: 14 digs, 3 kills.

UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will open American Rivers Conference play at Central College on Wednesday, September 24th. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.