Brandon Van Meter

After the Jackrabbit volleyball victory over Oakland University two weekends ago, the Jacks were looking for their first winning streak of the year against Western Illinois on Oct.10.

With a 3-1 victory over the Westerwinds, SDSU got the winning streak they were seeking and its first home Summit League victory.

SDSU came out strong during the first set, 25-21. W. Illinois took advantage of the Jacks’ defense and won the second set, 25-17. SDSU took control during the third set, 25-23, and finished out the match with a fourth set victory, 25-18.

SDSU senior outside hitter Mackenzie Angner led the offense and racked up 27 kills and a season-high .323 hitting percentage for the match. SDSU freshman outside hitter Ellyce Youngren matched her career high with 14 kills and had a .312 hitting percentage. Fellow Jackrabbit freshman Kelli Fiegen led the team in hitting percentage with .312.

Defensively, Jackrabbit junior Stacey Wernert led SDSU with 17 digs, while Justine Olsen backed her up with 12 digs. Wernert had the only serving ace for SDSU on the night.

Westerwinds’ senior left hitter Monique Houston had 15 kills and reached her 1,000th career kill during the first set.

Westerwinds’ senior setter Sarah Trimpe led all players with 23 digs.

With the win, the Jacks moved to 2-3 in the Summit League. With the loss, the Westerwinds dropped to 2-3 in conference play.

Jackrabbit volleyball coach Nana Allison-Brewer is thankful for the matches last weekend and the matches to follow.

“I was glad that it came out the way it did and that we’re home for the next five games just to continue to build momentum, to push us forward,” she said.

The SDSU players realized how big the win was for the team.

“This is definitely a turning point in our season,” Angner said, “? that we can definitely compete in the Summit League and definitely make it back to the conference championship.”