Carthage 3, Millikin 0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-20)
KENOSHA, Wis. – The Carthage women's volleyball team hosted the Millikin Big Blue in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Volleyball semifinals in Tarble Arena on Thursday evening. It was a dominating performance for the Firebirds, as the squad swept the Big Blue in straight sets to punch their ticket to the CCIW Championship match. This marks the 17th time the Firebirds have reached the CCIW Championship game under Head Coach Leanne Ulmer, who has been at the helm of the Carthage women's volleyball program since 2001.



Carthage battled through a tightly contested opening set that featured 11 ties, relying on steady offense from Kristina Manojlovic and Emma Crow along with four service aces to edge the Big Blue, 25-23. Late kills from Manojlovic and Crow, coupled with a key block from Hailey Wierzgac and Madilyn Danielson, lifted the Firebirds to the early lead.

The Firebirds took control in set two behind dominant serving and a strong defensive effort. Carthage delivered six service aces in the frame—three from Jenna Damon and one each from Ava Dettwiler, Kyla McTeague, and Cassidy Stahl—to fuel an early run. The Firebirds held Millikin to a -.080 hitting percentage while producing nine kills of their own on .318 hitting to cruise to a 25-11 win.

Carthage closed out the sweep with one of its most balanced sets of the night, finishing with 15 kills and three more service aces. Manojlovic, Dettwiler, and Crow continued to pace the attack, while timely blocking—three team blocks in the frame—slowed Millikin's late push. Manojlovic sealed the match with her 12th kill as the Firebirds secured the 25-20 win.


 

• Kristina Manojlovic: 12 kills, 9 digs, .344 hitting, 2 aces
• Ava Dettwiler: 8 kills, 20 assists, .667 hitting, 2 aces, 5 digs, 2 blocks
• Katie Boston: 6 kills, 2 blocks
• Emma Crow: 7 kills, 2 digs
• Jenna Damon: 11 digs, 4 aces
• Cassidy Stahl: 6 digs, 2 aces
• Kyla McTeague: 2 aces

The Firebirds (21-11, 5-3 CCIW) return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15 as they travel to Bloomington, Ill. to take on No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.