Carroll Volleyball had a strong showing against CCIW regular-season champs Illinois Wesleyan on Tuesday night. Carroll (18-12, 1-5 CCIW) ultimately fell in four sets by scores of 14-25, 22-25, 25-23, 19-25.   

The Pios were led by freshman Bronwyn Rowse on the attack, tallying 12 kills in the match, she was followed closely by fellow frosh Lizzy Williams with 11. Payton Depies added 17 more assists to her career total. McGough had 18 digs paired with two service aces on the night. Defensively, the middle was a force to be reckoned with, blocking 10 total shots on the night. Rebekah Andreae and Kylie Wittnebel led the team in blocks, both stuffing three total attempts. 

SET 1 (25-14 IWU) 

The Titans (19-6, 8-0 CCIW) used a 13-4 run on the back-half of the set to pull away in the first set which remained deadlocked through the first 20 rallies. Rowse talled three of her kills in the opening set, while Depies led with four assists and McGough had four digs.  

SET 2 (25-22 IWU) 

Carroll came out of the set break looking like a much different team, never falling by a margin larger than three. Despite the result, Carroll put together one of the most complete sets of the season, finding a way to finish multiple long rallies  Four different Pioneers recorded three or more kills in the 2nd set, with Wittnebel and WIlliams leading the way with a .667 attack percentage on four kill attempts. Rowse added four more kills as well, while senior Grace Perret contributed three. Freshman Ashley Miller tallied seven assists and Taylor Raley recorded her 43rd service ace of the season. 

SET 3 (25-23 Carroll) 

With the backs against the wall, Carroll took the third set thanks to an 11-4 run after trailing 10-11. Rowse tallied three more kills in the third frame, while Depies and Miller collected four assists apiece. Defensively, Depies led with seven digs, while Andreae garnered one solo block. 

SET 4 (25-19 IWU) 

Illinois Wesleyan put the final nail in the coffin in the fourth set, winning 25-19. Carroll hung around point-for-point before the Titans gained separation thanks to an 8-2 run. Williams tallied four kills in the final frame, with McGough five digs and Depies adding four assists. Carroll found the most success at the net, recording half of the total team blocks in the final set. 

Carroll returns to action on Friday, November 1, with the second leg of a four game home stand to close out the regular season. They will host CCIW-foe North Central at 7 p.m.