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College sports

Illinois Wesleyan University Women's Volleyball Team to Host Home Tournament for First Time in 30 Years

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team will kick off their 2025 season at home for the first time in 30 years, hosting the IWU Tournament I on August 29-30. The tournament will feature Earlham College, Greenville University, and No. 20 University of Chicago alongside the Titans. The team returns a solid core from their 2024 squad that tied the program's best finish with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Regional Championship.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Illinois Wesleyan University women's volleyball team will host the IWU Tournament I on August 29-30, featuring Earlham College, Greenville University, and No. 20 University of Chicago.
  • The team returns a solid core from their 2024 squad, including first team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honorees Taylor French and Hannah Tellor, as well as second team selection Kannyn Boyd.
  • French, the two-time CCIW Offensive Player of the Year, returns for her senior season, while Boyd, who was named a College Sports Communicators Third Team Academic All-America honoree, returns for her junior season.
  • The Titans return the conference's newcomer of the year, Alex Bardouniotis, as well as six new freshmen who will make their collegiate debuts inside the Shirk Center.
  • Illinois Wesleyan will conclude its opening weekend against a nationally-ranked Chicago squad, a series that dates back to 1999 and sits slightly tilted in favor of Chicago at 11-9.

Statistics:

  • The Titans have not hosted a tournament at home in 30 years.
  • Taylor French, the two-time CCIW Offensive Player of the Year, returns for her senior season.
  • Hannah Tellor and Kannyn Boyd return as second team selections from the 2024 cohort.
  • Alex Bardouniotis returns as the conference's newcomer of the year.
  • The team returns six new freshmen, including Audrey Chizzo, Carly Whitaker, Addi Hale, Shelby Sennett, Ashlyn Rager, and Lauren O'Brien.

Sources:

  • Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics' news release, August 2025
  • Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics' website, uwspartans.com
  • American Volleyball Coaches Association, avca.net
  • College Sports Communicators, cscsports.org

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