Decatur, Ill. — Millikin University women's volleyball hosted day one of the 2026 Big Blue Showdown in Griswold Center Friday evening, opening with a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin matchup with the Pioneers of Carroll University. A thriller of a match going back and forth each point, the Pioneers came out on top three sets to one.
With a collective slow start from both squads, a service error from the Big Blue gave the visiting Pioneers a chance to go on a service run, serving six straight points to lead 7-3 before making their own error. Going tit for tat with big kills on each side, Carroll retained the lead for the majority of the set, eventually capturing it with a score of 25-17 with 12 team kills.
Flipping the script, the Big Blue came out with aggression with the first kill by Elle Richards, blasting through the big block of Carroll. Millikin had five scoring runs with all in favor of the Big Blue, putting down 12 kills at a .400 clip with contribution of six different players, and five assists each from setters Alyssa Frederking and Haylee Porter to take set two 25-11.
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Both teams were not going down without a fight, bringing the crowd a nail-biter set that included 15 ties and six lead changes. Millikin and Carroll were not letting up, both getting tricky at the net offensively, with Carroll posting 16 kills and Millikin 11 plus three team blocks. Going to an extended set, the Pioneers were able to finish off with a service ace and a kill to take the extra points, winning the third 27-25 to go up 2-1.
The Pioneers continued to get better offensively with 13 more kills and four service aces in the final set, affecting the Big Blue to decline their hitting percentage to the negatives in the set. This allowed Carroll to remain on top and take the match with a final set score of 25-16.
Kyra Carothers led the Big Blue with nine kills on .375 hitting with three block assists, with Richards also putting down nine kills of her own. Nikkel Johnson ruled the net with seven blocks and six kills.
Defensively, Charley Condill picked up 10 digs in the libero jersey, with senior setter Frederking leading the team with 13 digs and 20 assists.
"I'm really proud of the fight and resilience our girls showed tonight," says Interim Head Coach Hannah Dick. "We faced deficits throughout the match, but they continued to battle back and compete point for point in crucial moments." Remaining positive, Dick continues to touch on the team's growth points by expressing their "ability to stay together and respond under pressure."
Falling to Carroll, Millikin volleyball sits at 9-11 overall and 0-3 in CCIW play.
The Big Blue return to action on Saturday morning of October 20 with the visiting Nebraska Wesleyan University at 10 a.m. To complete the Big Blue Showdown, Millikin will face Albion at 2 p.m. followed by their senior celebration. All action will be held in Griswold Center, also being streamed on the CCIW Network.
