NAPERVILLE — The CCIW women’s volleyball landscape continues to tighten as Illinois Wesleyan holds steady at No. 6 in the latest AVCA/TARAFLEX Division III national rankings. The Titans remain unbeaten in conference play and lead the league in nearly every major statistical category as they prepare for a key road test at Millikin on Friday night. 
 
Elsewhere across the conference, several teams are building momentum in pursuit of the top spot—Millikin has surged into second place with dominant play at the net, North Central remains one of the league’s most efficient offensive units and Carthage continues to set the defensive standard. 
 
Carroll, Wheaton, Augustana, and North Park have each pieced together strong recent stretches, while Elmhurst picked up a non-conference victory to stay in form. With several pivotal matches ahead, the CCIW race promises to deliver a competitive finish as the regular season enters its final weeks.
 
TITANS STAY AT #6 IN NATIONAL RANKINGS
Illinois Wesleyan remained sixth in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division III poll released on Tuesday afternoon.
 
La Verne is still the top-ranked team in the poll, receiving 69 of 86 first-place votes for 2,133 points. East Texas Baptist is second with 16 first-place votes, while Wisconsin-Oshkosh is third.

CCIW SELECTS STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Carthage’s Kristina Manojlovic, North Park’s Kendal Britton and Illinois Wesleyan’s Hannah Tellor were picked CCIW Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week, announced Monday. Manojlovic earned Hitter of the Week honors, Britton claimed Setter of the Week and Tellor was recognized as the league’s top defensive performer.
 
Manojlovic, a junior outside hitter, registered 37 kills over eight sets at the Wisconsin-Whitewater triangular last weekend. She attacked at a .373 clip on 75 swings, averaging 5.31 points and 4.63 kills per set. She was also credited with four service aces, three blocks and an assist.
 
Britton averaged 7.92 assists, 2.08 digs and 1.23 points per set in three matches last week. She hit .429 in 14 attacks against Wheaton, registering a career-high six kills, 47 assists and three service aces in the five-set loss. She also added a career-high 15 digs and 30 assists in a five-set win at Chicago.
 
Tellor led the Illinois Wesleyan defense to a 3-1 week, including a key win in the league race, as the Titans defeated North Central in four sets last Wednesday. 
 
For the week, Tellor logged 13 blocks, an average of 0.81 per set, 13 digs, five aces and an assist. She had four blocks in matches against NCC and Wisconsin-Eau Claire and five at Cornell.
 
SERVING NOTICE: TITANS LEAD THE CCIW PACK
Illinois Wesleyan’s record is 19-2 this season, including a 5-0 mark for first place in the CCIW standings. The Titans were three-set winners at 13th-ranked WashU on Tuesday and have won six of their last seven since Oct. 1.
 
Illinois Wesleyan continues to set the standard in the CCIW this season, leading the league in several key statistical categories. The Titans top the conference in both kills and assists per set, averaging 13.69 kills and 12.49 assists through 72 sets of play … IWU also leads the CCIW in service aces, tallying 198 overall for an average of 2.75 per set … On the defensive side, the Titans pace the league in both total digs and digs per set, recording 1,265 digs for a 17.57-per-set average—nearly two digs higher than the next-best team.
 
Senior outside hitter Taylor French has been a dominant force for the Titans and across the conference. French leads all CCIW players with 286 kills (3.97 per set) and 354.5 total points (4.92 per set) … Senior libero Kannyn Boyd anchors the back row, ranking third in the CCIW with 303 digs and an average of 4.59 per set … At the net, junior Eleanor Palmer and senior Hannah Tellor have also made their mark, ranking among the league’s top hitters with attack percentages of .317 and .301, respectively.
 
The Titans will visit Millikin in league action Friday night at 7 p.m.
 
MILLIKIN’S FRONT LINE FUELS CCIW SURGE
Millikin was a five-set winner at North Park on Wednesday to run its 2025 record to 11-10 overall and 4-1 in the CCIW. The Big Blue have won three in a row overall and remain one match off the pace for first place in the conference standings.
 
The Big Blue have been a force at the net, ranking second in the league in blocks with an average of 2.01 per set. Through 81 sets, Millikin has totaled 163 blocks, including 49 solo and 228 assisted.
 
Junior middle blocker Kyra Carothers has anchored the Millikin front line, leading all CCIW players with 1.04 blocks per set. Carothers has totaled 84 blocks on the season, including 16 solo efforts … Senior outside hitter Delaney Higgins has paced the Big Blue offense with 233 kills (2.88 per set), ranking eighth in the conference, while also sitting sixth in points per set (3.44). Higgins was a difference-maker in Millikin’s recent five-set win over North Park, tallying 15 kills and four aces … Junior setter Alyssa Frederking continues to guide the attack efficiently, ranking fifth in the CCIW with 525 assists (6.48 per set), including 35 assists in the North Park victory.
 
MU can capture a signature win on Friday when the Big Blue host #6 Illinois Wesleyan at 7 p.m. at the Griswold Center.
 
STRONG AND STEADY: CARDINALS SIT THIRD IN CCIW
North Central’s 2025 record is 14-6 overall and 3-2 against league rivals. The Cardinals, who fell in four sets Wednesday versus Augustana, own third place in the current CCIW race.
 
NCC continues to be one of the most efficient offensive teams in the conference this season. The Cardinals rank third in the league in hitting percentage at .206, recording 882 kills on 2,381 attempts with just 392 errors … North Central also stands among the conference’s best in both assists and kills per set, ranking fourth in assists (11.42) and third in kills (12.25) across 72 sets played … The Cardinals have been equally strong defensively, holding opponents to a .128 hitting percentage—third-best in the CCIW—and rank third in service aces per set with 164 total aces (2.28 per set).
 
Senior setter Sarah Harvey continues to pace the CCIW in assists, averaging 10.28 per set with 668 total helpers. Harvey also contributes at the service line, ranking fifth in the league with 33 aces (0.51 per set) … Junior Lauren Benson and senior Abranet Layne are both among the CCIW’s top hitters, ranking third (.335) and sixth (.315), respectively, in hitting percentage. Layne has also been a key defensive presence at the net with 49 total blocks (14 solo, 35 assists) … Senior outside hitter Danni Moser rounds out the Cardinals’ balanced attack, ranking sixth in the CCIW in kills per set (2.93) and fifth in points per set (3.44) with 196 total kills and 230.5 points on the year.
 
The Cardinals will host 13th-ranked WashU Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. in Naperville.
 
CARTHAGE CONTINUES WINNING WAYS BEHIND MANOJLOVIC’S MILESTONE
Carthage collected a four-set win over Wheaton on Wednesday in Kenosha to improve its record to 17-9. The Firebirds, who are also 2-2 in the CCIW, have won three of their last four since Oct. 11.
 
The Firebirds rank second in both hitting percentage (.211) and kills per set (12.34), totaling 1,246 kills across 101 sets this season … Carthage also sets the standard defensively, leading the conference in both blocks per set (2.18) and opponent hitting percentage (.119). The Firebirds have tallied 220 total blocks, including 51 solo and 338 assisted, while holding opponents to the lowest hitting percentage in the league … In addition, Carthage ranks second in assists per set (11.44), totaling 1,155 overall.
 
Junior outside hitter Kristina Manojlovic continues to lead the way for the Firebirds, ranking second in the CCIW in both kills per set (3.93) and points per set (4.39). Manojlovic has totaled 397 kills and 443.0 points this season and recently surpassed the 1,000 career kills milestone on Oct. 18 … Senior libero Jenna Damon anchors the back row with 472 total digs, ranking second in the CCIW at 4.67 digs per set, while also contributing 46 service aces—seventh-most in the conference … Freshman middle blocker Hailey Wierzgac has made an immediate impact, ranking second in the league in blocks per set (1.03) with 97 total blocks, including 21 solo efforts, and recording five blocks in the recent win over Wheaton.
 
Friday’s matchup is a 7 p.m. first serve at CCIW rival Elmhurst.
 
ROWSE, DEPIES LEAD PIONEERS’ STRONG OCTOBER RUN
Carroll has won four of its last five since Oct. 11, including a four-set win over Loras on Wednesday in Waukesha. The Pioneers own a 14-12 record and are 2-3 in the CCIW.
 
Defensively, Carroll has been one of the league’s toughest teams at the net, ranking third in blocks per set (1.63) with 156 total blocks—33 solo and 246 assisted. The Pioneers also excel in floor defense, ranking fourth in both total digs (1,463) and digs per set (15.24).
 
Sophomore outside hitter Bronwyn Rowse continues to power the Pioneer offense, ranking third in the CCIW in both kills per set (3.43) and points per set (3.77). Rowse has totaled 281 kills and 309.0 points on the year, providing a consistent scoring threat … Junior setter Payton Depies ranks fourth in the conference with 8.49 assists per set, tallying 722 total assists across 85 sets, including 47 in Carroll’s four-set win over Loras on Wednesday … Senior libero Maggie McGough helps anchor the defense with 382 total digs and a 4.11-per-set average—fifth-best in the CCIW—highlighted by her 32-dig performance in the victory over Loras.
 
The Pioneers will play the second match of back-to-back home contests on Friday when Wheaton visits Van Male Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. league bout.
 
WHEATON’S WIN TOTAL NEARS 20 AS CCIW RACE TIGHTENS
Wheaton’s next win will give the Thunder a 20-win season. The Thunder are 19-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference. WC picked up a five-set win versus North Park last Friday, but fell in four sets at Carthage on Wednesday.
 
Wheaton continues to be one of the most balanced teams in the conference, ranking among the league’s top four in several key statistical categories. The Thunder rank fourth in hitting percentage at .202 and stand second in both total digs (1,527) and opponent hitting percentage (.123) … Wheaton also ranks third in assists per set (11.43) with 1,120 total assists and fourth in kills per set (12.14) with 1,190 total kills across 98 sets played this season.
 
Senior outside hitter Jordan Benford has been a steady two-way performer, ranking fifth in the CCIW with 287 kills (2.96 per set) and eighth in points per set (3.41) … Senior setter Lacey Higgins has guided the offense effectively, ranking sixth in the conference with 578 assists (6.15 per set), including 36 in the Thunder’s five-set win over North Park last Friday … Graduate student Ashton Major has been one of the CCIW’s most efficient attackers, leading the league with a .358 hitting percentage on 171 kills and 355 attempts.
 
Wheaton will go to Carroll Friday night at 7 p.m., one of only three regular-season matches remaining for the Thunder.
 
AUGIE BUILDS MOMENTUM AHEAD OF WHITEWATER WEEKEND
Augustana’s season record is even at 11-11 overall. The Vikings are 2-4 in the conference, headlined by Wednesday’s four-set road win at North Central.
 
Augustana continues to show steady improvement through the 2025 season, highlighted by strong defensive play and key individual performances. The Vikings rank sixth in the CCIW in opponent hitting percentage at .163 and third in digs per set, averaging 15.26 with 1,175 total digs across 77 sets.
 
Setter Leah Rizzo continues to guide the Augustana attack, ranking ninth in the CCIW in assists per set (5.26) with 405 total assists this season, including 18 in the win over North Central … Defensively, libero Katelyn Turley remains a steady presence in the backcourt, ranking ninth in the conference with 248 total digs and a 3.22-per-set average … Middle blocker Alita Folkening came up clutch in the recent North Central win, sealing the match with a solo block and a late block assist alongside Carly Udovich.
 
The Vikings are off to Whitewater, Wis. on Friday and Saturday for the UWW Invite. Augie meets 11th-ranked Colby on Friday at 4 p.m.
 
VIKINGS NEARING 20 WINS AFTER CHICAGO WEEKEND SWEEP
North Park is another CCIW squad approaching the 20-win plateau, posting an 18-8 mark thanks to a pair of non-conference wins on Saturday in Chicago. The Vikings swept Denison and toppled host Chicago in five sets. NPU’s CCIW mark is 2-4 after a five-set defeat versus Millikin on Wednesday.
 
The Vikings rank fifth in the league in both hitting percentage (.201) and kills per set (12.01), while sitting second in service aces with 238 total and an average of 2.43 per set … North Park also ranks fifth in assists per set (11.09) and fourth in total blocks, collecting 158 on the season—56 solo and 204 assisted. The Vikings’ net play was on full display against Millikin on Wednesday when they posted a season-high 12 total blocks.
 
Junior setter Kendal Britton continues to drive the offense, ranking second in the CCIW with 9.58 assists per set (939 total) and fourth in service aces (51) … Senior libero Carolina Aviles remains one of the league’s top all-around performers, ranking second in both service aces per set (0.66) and digs per set (4.16). Aviles recently reached a career milestone, becoming just the third Viking to surpass 200 career service aces … At the net, junior middle blocker Meg Rothermel provides consistent power and efficiency, ranking fifth in hitting percentage (.316) and fourth in blocks per set (0.87).
 
North Park will host Dubuque Friday night at 7 p.m.
 
BLUEJAYS PICK UP NON-CONFERENCE WIN OVER SAINT MARY’S
Elmhurst picked up a four-set non-league win over St. Mary’s (Ind.) last Friday night. EU is 8-16 this fall and 1-4 in the league.
 
The Bluejays sit sixth in the league in team hitting percentage at .183 and sixth in kills per set at 11.67, totaling 1,074 kills across 92 sets … Elmhurst averages 10.68 assists per set—seventh in the conference—with 983 total assists … Defensively, the Bluejays have recorded 111 total blocks (24 solo, 174 assisted) for an average of 1.21 per set.
 
Setter Freddie Temple has been the catalyst for the Elmhurst offense, ranking third in the CCIW with 8.96 assists per set and totaling 824 overall, including a 50-assist performance in the win over Saint Mary’s … Defensively, Alexis Casey leads all CCIW players in digs per set (4.84) with 440 total digs this season. Casey has anchored the back row with standout efforts of 19 digs and two aces in the win over Saint Mary’s and 30 digs against Concordia Wisconsin on Tuesday … Keely Larson continues to shine, ranking second in the CCIW in hitting percentage at .340 with 182 kills on 412 attempts.
 
EU, in the midst of a four-game homestand, will host Carthage Friday night at 7 p.m.