MACOMB, Ill - Western Illinois volleyball's comeback effort came up short in a 3-1 loss to Oakland on Senior Day inside Brophy Hall on Saturday night (Nov. 10).
The Fighting Leathernecks end their season with an 11-17 mark (4-12 Summit), while the Golden Grizzlies improved to 16-12 overall (9-7 Summit) and clinch a spot in the conference playoffs.
Western honored its seniors, Katie Hosteng and Bridget Murphy, and each posted a strong performance in their final game in purple and gold.
Hosteng tallied 12 kills on a team-best .333 hitting percentage and added a career high five solo blocks.
Murphy recorded a team-best 16 digs and added four assists.
After falling in the first two sets, 25-16, 25-18, Western began its comeback effort.
In set three, Hosteng and sophomore Samantha Fournier each had four kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while Hosteng earned three solo blocks to help Western win the set, 25-21.
Set four featured four lead changes. Late in the set, Oakland had a 21-17 advantage, but the Leathernecks went on a 7-2 run behind a pair of kills each from Hosteng and junior Heather Smith.
Oakland battled back to eventually take the set, 27-25 to win the match.
Junior Sarah Fetter had a double-double, with 11 digs and a game-high 40 assists, while Fournier led the squad with 15 kills.
Meghan Bray (21 kills, 19 digs) and Taylor Humm (11 kills, 18 digs) each added a double-double in Oakland's winning effort.
