Illinois Wesleyan 3, Carthage 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-18)
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Carthage women's volleyball team battled top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship on Saturday night at the Shirk Center, but the Firebirds came up short in a straight-set defeat.

Prior to the game, Carthage student-athletes Jenna Damon, Ava McTeague, and Kyla McTeague were named recipients of the 2025 CCIW Elite 26 Award for women's volleyball. This is the third time a member of the Carthage women's volleyball program has been recognized with this award at the CCIW Championship game and it is the second time Damon has been recognized with this award.

Modeled after the NCAA's Elite 90 program, the CCIW Elite 26 is presented to the student-athlete who excels academically and athletically at the conference level in each of the CCIW's 26 sponsored sports. 
To be eligible for the Elite 26 Award, a student-athlete must be a sophomore, junior, or senior and in at least their second season of competition with their current team. Graduate students are not eligible. For sports where an individual is awarded all-conference honors at the conference championship, the student-athlete with the highest GPA from the first or second place team in the conference tournament will receive the award.



Carthage (21-12, 5-3 CCIW) opened the match with steady offensive contributions from Kristina Manojlovic, Madilyn Danielson, and Emma Crow, along with a strong blocking presence at the net. The Firebirds tallied nine kills and five team blocks in the first set, including key stops from Hailey Wierzgac, Katie Boston, and Manojlovic. A late push saw Carthage pull within 23-20, but Illinois Wesleyan held off the rally to take the opener, 25-20.

The second set proved to be the tightest of the night, featuring seven ties as Carthage found its rhythm offensively. The Firebirds hit .313 in the frame with 13 kills, led by Manojlovic—who notched multiple late-set swings—and Ava Dettwiler, who added timely setting and attacking. Jenna Damon delivered another strong service run that included an ace, helping Carthage surge ahead 21-18. However, Illinois Wesleyan responded with a 7-2 run to close the set, winning 25-23.

Carthage fought to extend the match in the third, fueled by back-to-back aces from Damon during a 6-0 service run that erased an early deficit. The Firebirds continued to pressure the Titans with four more team blocks and key kills from Danielson, Crow, and Dettwiler. Despite pulling even at 13-13, Illinois Wesleyan regained momentum behind consistent side-out play and closed the match on a 12-5 stretch to seal the 25-18 win and the CCIW title.


 

• Kristina Manojlovic: 10 kills, 6 digs, 5 blocks
• Madilyn Danielson: 7 kills, 2 digs, 1 block
• Emma Crow: 5 kills, 1 dig, 4 blocks
• Ava Dettwiler: 5 kills, 13 assists, 8 digs, 2 blocks
• Jenna Damon: 10 digs, 4 aces, 1 kill
• Hailey Wierzgac: 2 kills, 6 blocks
• Katie Boston: 1 kill, 6 blocks
• Cassidy Stahl: 9 digs

"Never easy when the season comes to an end but so proud of how this team battled a very tough IWU team," said Head Coach Leanne Ulmer. "We blocked very well and had some really gritty performances from so many of our players. I want to thank our senior class for being great teammates and leaders! They are a special group!"



The Firebirds (21-12, 5-3 CCIW) have concluded the 2025 season. Carthage women's volleyball will return in fall 2026. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.