NAPERVILLE --- The CCIW women’s volleyball season continues to be dominated by strong performances, headlined by the undefeated Illinois Wesleyan with a 12-0 overall record and a perfect 2-0 start in CCIW play. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan and North Central (12-3) currently top the league standings with 2-0 conference records, with North Central achieving a landmark victory over newly ranked Carthage last Wednesday.  North Park (14-2, 1-0 CCIW) is also performing well, currently riding an eight-game winning streak.
 
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN RISES TO NO. 7, CARTHAGE CRACKS TOP 25 IN AVCA POLL
Illinois Wesleyan stayed perfect to secure its highest national ranking in program history at #7 and Carthage burst into the rankings in a tie at #25 in the new poll released Tuesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
 
The Titans received 1,585 points in the poll and jumped three spots. Carthage was tied with Carnegie Mellon (156 points) for the 25th spot in the new poll on Tuesday.
 
North Park was the recipient of six points in the new rankings.
 
CCIW NAMES FRENCH, FREDERKING AND CAROTHERS WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Illinois Wesleyan’s Taylor French and Millikin standouts Alyssa Frederking and Kyra Carothers have been recognized as the CCIW Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week. French powered the unbeaten Titans with another dominant hitting performance, while Frederking guided the Big Blue offense and Carothers anchored their defense in a trio of victories.
 
French delivered another strong performance for the unbeaten Titans, averaging 5.46 points and 4.77 kills in four IWU wins. For the week, French totaled 62 kills on a.402 attack percentage. She also posted 37 digs, an average of 2.85 per set, eight aces, averaging 0.62 per set, two blocks and two assists. She secured IWU Tournament II MVP honors after guiding the Titans to three wins.
 
In the CCIW opener last Wednesday night, French posted 11 kills on a .348 clip, nine digs, and two aces in the sweep of Wheaton. The Romeoville, Ill. native had 15 kills or more in all three weekend wins, adding 13 digs for a double-double in the four-set win over Coe on Saturday.
 
Frederking, a junior from Belleville, Ill. helped Millikin extend its win streak to four with victories over Alma, Case Western Reserve and Ohio Northern last Friday and Saturday in Ada, Ohio. She averaged 7.17 assists and 2.33 digs across 12 sets of action. In Saturday’s win over Case Western Reserve, Frederking notched her second double-double of the season with 27 assists and 10 digs, then added another one later in the day against Ohio Northern with 33 assists and 12 digs.
 
An eight-block effort from Carothers in the MU win over Ohio Northern highlighted her outstanding weekend, which ended with 1.25 blocks per set. Carothers had two blocks against Alma, then tacked on five more against Case Western Reserve. The 5-foot-11 junior added 23 kills and five aces on the offensive end for the Big Blue.
 
IWU POWERS TO 12-0, EYES RANKED TESTS NEXT
Seventh-ranked Illinois Wesleyan moved to 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the league thanks to four more wins over the previous week. IWU put together a three-match sweep at the IWU Tournament II last Friday and Saturday. The Titans topped Wittenberg, Rose-Hulman and Coe – all of which were receiving votes in last week’s poll. The Titans also collected a three-set sweep of Elmhurst on Wednesday in Bloomington, IWU, which received one first-place vote in Tuesday’s AVCA poll, has continued its best start in program history.
 
Senior Taylor French leads the CCIW in kills (4.15 per set), service aces (0.72 per set), and points (5.00 per set). During the sweep of Elmhurst on Wednesday, French notched six aces, moving her into second place in IWU's career aces rankings, just three shy of the all-time record of 240 … Kannyn Boyd is the leading defensive player for the Titans, holding the number one spot in the CCIW for digs with an average of 4.51 per set. She recorded a match-high 24 digs during the victory over Coe last Saturday and paced the defense with nine digs against Elmhurst … Freshman Lauren O'Brien has also contributed offensively, ranking ninth in the CCIW in assists per set (5.03) and fourth in service aces per set (0.59). Against Elmhurst, O'Brien posted a team-high 13 assists and added five service aces, including back-to-back aces in the second set.
 
The Titans sit atop the CCIW in several major offensive categories, ranking first in hitting percentage (.235), assists (12.26 per set) and kills (13.79 per set). The Titans hit a whopping .324 against Rose-Hulman last Saturday while committing only 12 errors in the match … IWU also paces the CCIW in both service aces (2.82 per set) and digs (17.67 per set). The aggressive serving was on display Wednesday versus Elmhurst, where they recorded 15 aces and outhit the Bluejays .275 to .083.
 
IWU will meet a pair of ranked opponents on Saturday in Holland, Mich. The Titans draw 14th-ranked Marietta at 9:30 a.m. CT, then will follow up with host and 18th-ranked Hope at 12:30 p.m. CT.
 
NCC TAKES DOWN RANKED RIVAL, STAYS PERFECT IN CCIW PLAY
North Central improved to 12-3 overall and 2-0 against CCIW opponents after collecting a four-set win over 25th-ranked Carthage on Wednesday in Naperville. It was the Cardinals’ first win over the Firebirds since 2001. The decision followed two other wins last weekend over Loras and Illinois Tech.
 
Sarah Harvey leads the CCIW in assists per set with an average of 10.64 … She logged 47 assists during the three-set sweep over Loras last Friday, a number which ties for the sixth-most in program history for a three-set match … Abranet Layne is ranked second among all CCIW players in hitting percentage at .376, tallying 99 kills across 218 attempts. She came up big in the Cardinals' 3-1 victory over Carthage, leading all players with 16 kills and putting down the final two kills to secure the fourth set win … Lauren Benson, a middle blocker, ranks eighth in the CCIW with a .333 hitting percentage. She contributed defensively in the win against Carthage by tallying a team-high five blocks and was a versatile option against Illinois Tech with 11 kills.
 
North Central ranks second in the CCIW in major offensive categories, averaging 12.02 assists per set and 12.90 kills per set … Defensively, the Cardinals are also strong, ranking second in the CCIW in digs per set (16.29) and third in opponent hitting percentage (.109). Their back-row defense held Carthage to a .073 hitting percentage during their four-set win.
 
The Cardinals will travel to North Manchester, Ind. on Saturday for matches against St. Mary’s (Ind.) at 2:30 p.m. CT and host Manchester at 5 p.m. CT.
 
NORTH PARK ROLLS TO EIGHTH STRAIGHT WIN
North Park’s win streak has reached eight after non-league victories over Benedictine, Heidelberg and Cornell. The Vikings are 14-2 overall and 1-0 in the league after last Wednesday’s win at Elmhurst.
 
Carolina Aviles, a senior libero, is third in the CCIW in digs per set (4.47) and second in service aces per set (0.71). She had 15 digs in the sweep at Benedictine last Thursday, a win that allowed her to climb to third place on North Park's all-time digs list, currently totaling 1,665 … Junior setter Kendal Britton ranks second in the CCIW in assists per set with an average of 9.55. She directed the offense in the 3-2 victory over Heidelberg, tallying 46 assists, and also contributed 35 assists in the three-set sweep against Benedictine … Senior outside hitter Shamyia Collier ranks seventh seventh in the league in kills per set (3.06). She sparked the offense against Benedictine, posting 14 kills with a .423 hitting percentage and led the team again against Cornell with 11 kills and a season-high .524 hitting percentage.
 
North Park leads the CCIW in service aces per set, averaging 2.64, and ranks second in overall hitting percentage at .220 … The Vikings also maintain a solid defense, ranking fifth in the conference in digs per set (15.02) and holding opponents to a .130 hitting percentage – fifth-best in the CCIW.
 
The Vikings will host Carroll in CCIW play Friday night at 7 p.m.
 
BIG BLUE STREAK HITS FIVE WITH STRONG ROAD SWEEPS
The win streak is officially at five for Millikin, which swept three matches last weekend at the Ohio Northern Invitational with wins over Alma, Case Western Reserve and host ONU. The Big Blue also collected a league win Wednesday at Carroll, improving their record to 6-5 overall and 1-0 in the CCIW.
 
Junior middle blocker Kyra Carothers has been a force defensively, leading the CCIW in blocks per set (1.21). She defended the net in Millikin’s recent victories, registering seven total blocks during the sweep against Carroll and eight blocks in the four-set win over Ohio Northern … Senior outside hitter Delaney Higgins powers the Big Blue offense, currently ranking fifth in the conference in kills per set (3.13) and fifth in points per set (3.63). She was recognized at the ONU Invitational by earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team and by logging a team-high 17 kills against Ohio Northern … Junior setter Alyssa Frederking holds the sixth spot in the CCIW for assists per set (6.10). She also has defensive range, compiling double-digit digs in multiple matches, including 17 assists and 13 digs against Carroll and 33 set assists and 12 digs against Ohio Northern.
 
The Big Blue are strong at the net as a team, ranking second overall in the CCIW in blocks per set with 1.97. In their recent sweep against Carroll, MU tallied nine total blocks and held the Pioneers to a .105 hitting percentage … Millikin ranks fourth in the CCIW in assists per set (11.51) and tied for fourth in kills per set (12.51) … The Big Blue were efficient during the ONU Invitational, registering a high .272 hitting percentage while owning an advantage over Ohio Northern in kills, 63-52 in their four-set victory.
 
Millikin will open the home portion of its schedule Saturday afternoon in a 3 p.m. start against Franklin.
 
FIREBIRDS BALANCE ATTACK, DEFENSE IN STRONG START
Carthage is 9-2 overall and 1-1 in the CCIW. The Firebirds notched their first league win of the campaign last Friday at Augustana and jumped into the national rankings for the first time on Tuesday.
 
Kristina Manojlovic has driven the Carthage attack, leading the team with 162 kills and ranking third in the CCIW with 3.95 kills per set. During last Friday’s sweep of Augustana, she posted a match-high 14 kills with a .636 hitting percentage, and she later contributed 12 kills and eight digs in a four-set loss to North Central … Sophomore Ava Dettwiler plays a vital dual role as a setter and attacker, accumulating 227 assists (7th in CCIW at 5.54 assists per set) and 10.5 points in the Augustana match. Against Augustana, she logged eight kills, 21 assists, 11 digs and three blocks, and she followed up with 18 assists and 12 digs against North Central … Senior defensive specialist Jenna Damon anchors the back-row defense, ranking fourth in the CCIW with 4.34 digs per set. She led the defense in the sweep against Augustana with a match-high 21 digs and chipped in two service aces, helping set the tone early in the first set.
 
Carthage boasts the CCIW's best defense against opposing attacks, holding opponents to a conference-leading .106 opponent hitting percentage …The Firebirds lead the CCIW in blocks per set, averaging 2.20 … Carthage ranks second in the CCIW in hitting percentage (.229) and fifth in both assists per set (11.37) and kills per set (12.51).
 
The Wartburg Invite in Waverly, Iowa is due up for the Firebirds. Carthage will take on Augsburg Friday night at 5 p.m. and host Wartburg at 7:30 p.m. Saturday brings a noon matchup with Cornell.
 
MAJOR EFFICIENCY, STRONG DEFENSE FUEL WHEATON RUN
Wheaton has surged to a four-game win streak, having won five of its last six outings to improve to 14-4 overall. The Thunder won at home on Tuesday against Augustana to level their CCIW record at 1-1.
 
Ashton Major is the CCIW leader in hitting percentage at .411. Her effort was on display in the sweep of Augustana, where she logged nine kills without an error for a .562 attack percentage …  Jordan Benford also chips in offensively, leading the Thunder with 191 kills and ranking sixth in the CCIW with 3.08 kills per set. In Saturday’s win over Earlham, she notched a double-double with a team-high 12 kills alongside 19 digs … Grace Autry is a defensive leader for the Thunder, currently ranking fifth in the CCIW at 4.03 digs per set. She was a standout in the 3-1 win over Trine, delivering four service aces and 19 digs.
 
Wheaton has one of the strongest defensive efforts in the conference, limiting opposing teams to a .108 opponent hitting percentage, which ranks second in the CCIW … Their back-row performance complements this effort, positioning them third in the CCIW by averaging 15.73 digs per set … The Thunder are third in the CCIW in both kills per set (12.58) and assists per set (11.71). The Thunder had 44 kills and a .330 hitting percentage Tuesday against Augustana.
 
On Friday, Wheaton will host Beloit at 3 p.m. and Illinois Tech at 7 p.m.
 
PIONEERS TOP WISCONSIN FOES TO CLIMB ABOVE .500
Carroll moved over .500 with a pair of wins over in-state rivals last Saturday. The Pioneers beat Wisconsin-River Falls in four sets, then took down Wisconsin-Stevens Point in a five-set match at a triangular hosted in Stevens Point. CU is now 7-6 overall and 0-2 in the league after a Wednesday loss to Millikin.
 
Freshman outside hitter Bronwyn Rowse is a force for Carroll, leading the team with 170 kills and ranking fourth in the CCIW with 3.70 kills per set. Her efforts were on display in the five-set victory over Wisconsin-Stevens Point with 25 kills and 18 digs … Sophomore setter Payton Depies currently ranks third in the CCIW with 8.71 assists per set. She compiled 57 assists and 15 digs in the five-set win against Wisconsin-Stevens Point … Junior defensive specialist Maggie McGough serves as the primary defensive presence in the back court, logging 189 digs and ranking sixth in the CCIW with 3.94 digs per set. McGough anchored the defense with a match-high 17 digs against Millikin and contributed 12 digs in both Saturday victories against Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
 
Carroll posted strong hitting performances during the Stevens Point triangular, posting a .310 hitting percentage against UWRF and a .243 mark against UWSP … Defensively, the Pioneers rank fifth in the CCIW in blocks per set (1.47).
 
Carroll is back on the road Friday night for a CCIW match at North Park at 7 p.m.
 
AUGUSTANA PICKS UP BACK-TO-BACK SWEEPS IN MILWAUKEE
Augustana swept both matches of a triangular match in Milwaukee last Saturday, earning sweeps over Ripon and host Wisconsin Lutheran. The Vikings are 6-7 overall and 0-2 in the league this season.
 
Freshman defensive specialist Katelyn Turley is Augustana's leader in the back row, ranking seventh in the CCIW with 3.67 digs per set. Turley notched a match-high 14 digs in the loss against Wheaton and contributed two service aces in the five-set victory against Wisconsin. Lutheran … Junior setter Leah Rizzo leads the team in assists, ranking tenth in the CCIW with 5.02 assists per set. Rizzo logged 14 assists in all three of Augustana's recent matches against Carthage, Ripon, and Wheaton … Freshman middle blocker Alita Folkening is a strong at the net, registering a team-high four blocks against Wheaton and leading the team with eight kills in the sweep against Wisconsin Lutheran. She secured a solo block to tie the score at 18-18 in the first set against Wheaton and earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the WLC Triangular
 
Augustana will play its next three matches at home inside the Carver Center, starting with Friday’s 7 p.m. non-league matchup with Luther.
 
ELMHURST HEADS TO PLYMOUTH SATURDAY
Elmhurst will look to build on its 4-12 record on Saturday afternoon in matches against Ripon (2:30 p.m) and Lakeland (5 p.m.) in Plymouth, Wis. 
 
Senior defensive specialist Alexis Casey is a defensive leader, ranking second in the CCIW with 4.49 digs per set. In a five-set match against Aurora last Friday, Casey anchored the back row with 19 digs and contributed three service aces … Sophomore setter Freddie Temple is fourth in the CCIW with 8.27 assists per set. She delivered 43 assists against Aurora and recorded 41 assists and 11 digs in a five-set loss to Lawrence last Saturday … Junior opposite hitter Blair Johnson is a primary attacker for the Bluejays, ranking tenth in the CCIW with 3.23 points per set. She put down 16 kills against Olivet last Saturday and 17 kills against Lawrence.