Illinois Wesleyan University tops Carroll University, 3-1

No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan swept past Carroll (WI) three sets to one — 25-16, 25-27, 25-23, 25-16 — on Tuesday, September 23 at Van Male Fieldhouse in Waukesha, Wis., opening CCIW play with a road win.

The Titans out-killed the Pioneers 56 to 42 and held a clear efficiency edge overall (.197 to .121), but the gap was sharpest in sets one and four, where IWU hit .344 and .278 respectively while Carroll managed .065 and .077. IWU also more than doubled Carroll's ace total, 7-3, a margin that helped offset Carroll's edge in blocks (8 to 4). Both teams posted 90 and 78 digs, respectively, keeping rallies competitive throughout the middle sets.

Carly Whitaker led all hitters with 12 kills on a .367 clip, while Eleanor Palmer and Alex Bardouniotis each added 11. Bardouniotis also contributed a match-high 3 aces and 17 digs for a well-rounded all-around line. Graci Junis anchored the back row with 25 digs, and Lauren O'Brien ran the offense with 22 assists alongside Sophia Feeney's 20. For Carroll, Audrey Rosenbaum paced the Pioneers with 14 kills, and Lexi Proctor recorded 10 kills, 10 assists, and 12 digs.

Carroll took the second set in extra points, 27-25, erasing a 15-10 IWU lead to briefly even the match at one set apiece before the Titans closed out the final two frames.

The win moves Illinois Wesleyan to 12-1 on the season and 1-0 in CCIW play.

Box score: https://www.iwusports.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2026/carroll/boxscore/20182