WHEATON, Ill. — For the first time in several years, Carroll University women's volleyball is back in the CCIW Conference Tournament, earning the No. 5 seed and a chance to extend their season tonight against No. 4 seed Wheaton College.

The Pioneers (16–15, 3–5 CCIW) head into the quarterfinal matchup with confidence, having swept Wheaton 3–0 in their regular-season meeting on October 24 in Waukesha. In that match, Carroll hit an efficient .265 as a team, led by Bronwyn Rowse and Carly Hicklin, who combined for 28 kills. Setter Payton Depies orchestrated the offense with 36 assists, while the defense tallied 10 team blocks to stifle the Thunder's attack.

Tonight's match, however, shifts to Wheaton's home court, where the Thunder (21–9, 4–4 CCIW) will look to flip the script. Wheaton is led by senior Jordan Benford and sophomore Ashton Major, who combined for 21 kills in the previous meeting. The Thunder will aim to capitalize on their home-court advantage and avenge the regular-season loss.

For Carroll, the matchup marks a milestone moment, their first CCIW tournament appearance since 2018. With a balanced attack, strong net presence, and postseason hunger, the Pioneers will look to ride their momentum and punch a ticket to Thursday's semifinal against top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Wheaton College tonight.