KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan volleyball team fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 26-24) to Illinois State on Saturday night to wrap up day two of the 2025 Western Michigan Volleyball Tournament.
 
FINAL SCORE: Illinois State 3, Western Michigan 0
LOCATION: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (1-1) | Illinois State (2-0)
 
True freshman Kelly Culler was in double-figures for the second straight evening and led WMU with 11 kills in the contest. Mary Clare Brusek chipped in nine kills, with Leah Richmond handing out 30 assists.
 
Defensively, Elana Erickson led the way with 12 digs and Carley Piercefield pitched in nine. Molly Brown was a big part of the defensive effort as well, collecting a career-high seven digs and tying for the team lead with three blocks.
 
Illinois State started fast, tallying nine of the contest's first 12 points to seize the early advantage. Trailing 14-6, Western Michigan reeled off four in a row to begin a 7-1 run which cut the deficit to 15-13. With ISU in front 18-15, the Broncos picked up another four straight points to move ahead, 19-18. At 21-20, the Redbirds had a four-point spurt of their own to reach set point, 24-21. WMU managed to fend off three straight set points to draw level, 24-24, but the visitors picked up the final two points to claim the set, 26-24.
 
With the Brown and Gold holding a 9-8 edge in the second, Illinois State ripped off five points in a row to climb in front, 13-9. Western Michigan battled back to get even at 15-15, but the Redbirds responded with the next four to restore the four-point margin, 19-15. The Broncos closed to within one at 20-19, before ISU claimed the next five points to take a 2-0 match lead into the break.
 
Western Michigan had the upper hand in the early stages of the third, using a five-point run to open up a 14-7 advantage. With the margin at 16-10, the Redbirds ripped off seven consecutive points to surge ahead, 17-16. The two teams battled back and forth until a three-point spurt got ISU to match point at 24-22. As they did in the first, the Broncos fought off the visitors and drew level once again at 24-24. Illinois State came right back with the final two points of the evening to secure the victory.
 
The 2025 Western Michigan Volleyball Tournament wraps up on Sunday at University Arena, with the Broncos set to take on DePaul at 3 pm. For tickets to any home WMU volleyball match, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.