GREEN BAY, Wis. - Diane Pichelman collected 12 kills with an .857 hitting percentage to help carry the Green Bay volleyball team to a three-set victory (25-11, 25-18, 25-19) against the Western Illinois Leathernecks Saturday at home at Kress Events Center. The non-conference victory improved Green Bay's overall record to 7-4 on the season.
GB got 10 digs from Kelsey Justman along with seven blocks from Olivia Neumann and five rejections from Alexa Hernandez to lead them defensively. Hernandez also racked up 34 assists on the day.
"This was a really helpful weekend for us as we prepare for the Horizon League schedule," said head coach Abbey Sutherland. "Playing Western Illinois back-to-back gave us a chance to experience just how hard it is to turn around and play the same team again on day two, and that experience prepares us really well for what's ahead in Horizon League play. Diane put together a really strong weekend, and Olivia continues to hold down such an important foundation for us with her blocking and her ability to slow down pin hitters. At this level, being able to slow down those attackers is huge, and she continues to give us that consistently."
Sutherland continued, "It's hard to believe non-conference play is already over. This has been our most successful non-conference season in years, and we're really proud of what this group has done. Now we want to keep building on it and take everything we've learned into Horizon League play."
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | The Phoenix won the first point and never trailed to secure the first set, 25-11. Green Bay opened up its biggest lead, 14 points, to close out the set. GB got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Western Illinois attacks in the set.
SET 2 | After their win in the first set, Green Bay put themselves on the cusp of a sweep with a 25-18 victory in set number two. The Phoenix took the first points again and never looked back in the set to earn the victory. The Phoenix offense hit .385 over the course of the set.
SET 3 | Green Bay then ended the match with a victory in set number three, 25-19. Green Bay dominated once again offensively, finishing with 17 kills in the frame.
GAME NOTES
» Pichelman's .857 attack percentage is a career-high mark.
» Kendall Schara and Pichelman each led GB with two aces.
» Olivia Neumann had a match-high seven blocks.
» The Green Bay front row did a great job defensively, picking up 10 blocks in the match.
» Green Bay's all-time record against Western Illinois is now 10-7.
COMING UP
The Phoenix look to extend their winning streak to six as they open Horizon League play, hosting Oakland on Friday, Sept. 25, scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT first serve. Green Bay will host the Golden Grizzlies the following day at 2 p.m. CT.
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