DECATUR — On Thursday night, the Carthage College women's volleyball team faced the No. 2 seed Millikin in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament semifinals. The Firebirds fought hard in the match against the Big Blue, pushing the contest to five sets but ultimately falling 3-2.

• Final Score: Millikin 3 - Carthage 2 (25-22, 21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 13-15)
• Location: Decatur, Illinois - Griswold P.E. Center
• Records: No. 2 seed Millikin 29-4, No. 3 seed Carthage 17-12 

• Millikin took an early 8-5 lead in the first set, but a solo block by Liv Carel brought Carthage within three points.
• The Big Blue maintained a three-point advantage until four consecutive kills gave Carthage a one-point edge.
• Kills by Katie Boston and Kristina Manojlovic pushed Carthage ahead 23-21.
• Devinn Bell's kill and a service ace from Manojlovic secured a 25-22 win in the first set for Carthage.
• In the second set, two quick kills helped Millikin establish a 12-7 lead.
• Ella Pettinger responded with a kill, narrowing the gap to three points.
• Despite efforts by Manojlovic and Boston to keep the score close, Millikin claimed the set 25-21.
• Millikin opened the third set with a 12-9 advantage, but Carthage tied the score at 12 with a Jenna Damon ace and a kill from Manojlovic.
• Carthage brought the margin to three with a Carel kill and a Big Blue attack error, but Millikin ultimately took the set 25-20.
• A kill by Bell gave Carthage a 15-14 lead in the fourth set.
• Damon's ace tied the score at 19, and Carthage closed out the set with five unanswered points to force a decisive fifth set, winning 25-20.
• Millikin opened the final set with a 12-8 lead, but Carthage rallied with five straight points, highlighted by two Pettinger kills, to go up by one.
• Despite a strong effort from Carthage in the final rallies, Millikin clinched the match with a 15-13 victory.

• Kristina Manojlovic, Kaitie Rohe, and Liv Carel all recorded double-digit kills for the second-straight match concluding with 17, 16, and 12. 
• Devinn Bell recorded 47 assists in the match, tallying back-to-back matches with 45 or more assists. 
• Ella Pettinger had a match-best five total blocks while Jenna Damon, Bell, and Manojlovic recorded 27 and 15 digs. 

"What an exciting tournament match! It was a battle and a tough one to lose! We came out strong the had to battle back and win set 4 to get it to a 5th set. Down 8-12, we tied it up at 13 and they got the last push. Kaitie Rohe was terrific tonight and really energized our offense. Kristina Manojlovic and Liv Carel were the other two who led us in kills. Jenna Damon was all over the court on defense and Ella Pettinger had some big kills and blocks! Devinn Bell did a great job feeding our hitters and served very well! I want to thank our seniors: Devinn Bell, Kaitie Rohe, Ella Pettinger, and Liv Carel for all they have given to our program! We have been beyond blessed to have them represent the Firebirds for the last four years!"