Trojans swept by WIU, settle for series split on Senior Day

Little Rock settled for a split of the season series with Western Illinois with Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Leathernecks on Senior Day at the Jack Stephens Center. The loss put the Trojans (15-12 overall, 10-4 OVC) back into third place in the conference, a half-game in front of WIU and a half-game behind second-place Lindenwood.
 
Little Rock never led in the first two sets and would not hold a lead greater than one in the third as the Leathernecks (15-9, 9-4) cruised to set victories of 25-23, 25-13, and 25-21. Seniors Jeila Fullerton and Kaila Harris were recognized prior to the game in a special Senior Day ceremony, then led the Trojans on the floor. Fullerton finished with 13 kills, 14 digs, and four blocks, while Harris totaled nine kills and 16 digs.
 
Kaylee Smith (17 assists, 10 digs) and Dariana Valencia (15 assists, 11 digs) posted double-doubles, Andrea Roman had 29 digs to move into number two in program history for single-season digs. She's just 13 digs shy of putting her name at the top of that list. Jaycee Kennedy finished with six blocks, giving her 94 for the season.
 
The regular season is down to just four remaining contests, with Little Rock hitting the road for its final series away from home next weekend with a two-game trip at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 8-9. The Trojans close out the regular season Nov. 19-20 at home against Lindenwood. The Ohio Valley Conference Championships run from Nov. 24-26.