Green Bay – The Green Bay Phoenix volleyball team delivered a commanding performance Friday night, sweeping the Western Illinois Leathernecks in three straight sets (25‑16, 25‑19, 25‑13) at the Kress Center. The non‑conference win lifted the Phoenix’s overall record to 6‑4 and marked a triumphant home‑opening for the program.
Key performances
Diane Pichelman was the offensive catalyst, posting eight kills and an impressive .467 hitting percentage, the highest on the team. Olivia Neumann matched Pichelman’s kill total with eight as well, while also contributing five blocks. Defensive efforts were highlighted by Kennedy Schmitz’s 11 digs and Kirsten Fish’s five blocks, underscoring the Phoenix’s balanced attack and stout defense.
Coach Abbey Sutherland praised the atmosphere and the team’s resilience. “I’m so pumped. The atmosphere in the Kress today was incredible, our crowd was amazing, and we had so many student‑athletes there supporting Kendall,” she said. Sutherland highlighted Kendall Schara’s return, noting that a year ago Schara was in treatment and now she is back on the floor in remission, a testament to personal perseverance and the program’s supportive environment.
Set‑by‑set recap
Set 1: Green Bay seized early momentum, pulling ahead 5‑4 and never looking back, ultimately winning 25‑16. The Phoenix forced four Western Illinois attacks, establishing a defensive edge.
Set 2: Riding the first‑set surge, the Phoenix secured a 25‑19 victory. The team posted a .345 attack percentage and recorded 12 kills, reinforcing their offensive consistency.
Set 3: The final set showcased Green Bay’s dominance, closing out the match 25‑13. Three service aces helped seal the sweep, and the Phoenix’s offense continued to click.
Game notes and upcoming schedule
• Pichelman added three aces, the match high.
• Setter Alexa Hernandez tallied 28 assists.
• Green Bay out‑hit Western Illinois 0.286 to 0.063.
• The Phoenix are now on a four‑match winning streak.
Looking ahead, Green Bay will face Western Illinois again on Saturday, aiming for a fifth consecutive win before beginning Horizon League play on Friday, Sept. 25 against Oakland at 5 p.m.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
