Millikin Edges UC Santa Cruz in Five Sets
Elle Richards posts a match-high 19 kills as Millikin improves to 13-14 overall at the IWU Tournament.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Volleyball
Millikin University women's volleyball beat UC Santa Cruz 3-2 on Saturday morning in the IWU Tournament at Illinois Wesleyan University. The Stags took the deciding fifth set 15-12 after Santa Cruz won sets two and four.
Why it matters
The win lifts Millikin to 13-14 overall and gives the team momentum heading into its next match. Five-set comebacks like this one show the depth the squad relied on in a tight tournament field.
Richards' 19 kills and .378 hitting percentage were both match and season highs for the Millikin attacker. Carothers contributed nine kills, two service aces and seven blocks, while the fifth set ended 15-12 after Millikin outhit Santa Cruz .278 across the final frame.
The players
Millikin University
Millikin University is a private university in Decatur, Illinois, whose athletic teams compete in the Midwest Conference.
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts university in Bloomington, Illinois, that hosts the annual IWU Tournament.
The details
Santa Cruz won set two 25-18 and set four 25-16, while Millikin took set three 25-21. The fifth set was decided by Millikin's sideout edge and eight kills at a .278 hitting percentage.
Timeline
Saturday, November 1, 2026: Millikin defeats UC Santa Cruz 3-2 in the IWU Tournament.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 7 p.m.: Millikin plays North Park at Griswold Center.
Season Trajectory
Millikin's 13-14 record places the program in the middle of a long season where early-tournament results affect seeding and conference positioning. Wins against non-conference opponents such as UC Santa Cruz help the team build the record it needs for the postseason.
Millikin's next match against North Park on November 4 at 7 p.m. in Griswold Center gives fans a chance to see how the team's fifth-set performance carries forward. Rotation and hitting efficiency from this win will be on display in that home contest.
The takeaway
Richards' 19-kill performance shows how one hitter can carry a five-set match when the rest of the lineup is tight. Following the team's hitting efficiency across the rest of the tournament will show whether that output holds.
What happens next
Millikin plays North Park on Wednesday, November 4, at 7 p.m. in Griswold Center.
Further reading
For more college sports coverage, explore Volleyball in Bloomington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
