Greencastle, Ind. — Illinois Tech faced tough competition at the DePauw Women's Volleyball Invitational, losing two matches on Saturday. The Scarlet Hawks fell to Monmouth (IL) 3-2 (22-25, 11-25, 25-20, 26-24, 11-15) and then lost to host DePauw 3-0 (14-25, 21-25, 18-25). Following these matches, Illinois Tech's overall record stands at 3-4, while Monmouth improves to 2-4 and DePauw moves to 6-2.
For her overall performance,
Karla Trautmann Mendez was named to the all-tournament team for the 2026 tournament.
How It Happened
Against Monmouth, the Fighting Scots established an early 8-2 lead in the first set, but Illinois Tech rallied to tie at 11-11 with contributions from
Karla Trautmann Mendez,
Payton Smith, and
Olivia McMath. The teams exchanged leads until Monmouth closed the set 25-22. The second set saw Illinois Tech struggle early as Monmouth pulled ahead with a six-point run, leading to a 25-11 finish.
In the third set, Illinois Tech found its rhythm, overcoming a 13-6 deficit to win 25-20, highlighted by a four-point run and blocks from
Lilia Donaldson and McMath. The fourth set was a nail-biter, with Illinois Tech pulling off a late comeback to win 26-24, thanks to key kills from Smith and a block by Donaldson-Smith. However, Monmouth took control in the fifth set, winning 15-11.
In the match against DePauw, Illinois Tech started with an 8-8 tie before the Tigers surged ahead with a series of points, ultimately taking the first set 25-14. The second set saw Illinois Tech build a lead with strong performances from Trautmann Mendez, who contributed two aces, but DePauw's late surge resulted in a 25-21 finish. The third set began with the Tigers leading 5-1, but Illinois Tech fought back to tie at 6-6 before DePauw pulled away again, sealing the match with a 25-18 victory.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
**Against Monmouth:**
- **
Brooke Rifkin**
- 23 digs
- 4 assists
- 1 service ace
- **
Rowan Midgette**
- 25 assists
- 21 digs
- 1 service ace
- **
Payton Smith**
- 13 kills
- 14.5 points
- 3 total blocks
- **
Karla Trautmann Mendez**
- 12 kills
- 15 digs
- 13.5 points
- **
Lilia Donaldson**
- 6 total blocks
- 11 kills (career-high)
- 14.0 points
**Against DePauw:**
- **
Karla Trautmann Mendez**
- 13 kills
- 4 service aces
- 11 digs
- 17.0 points
- **
Rowan Midgette**
- 16 assists
- 6 digs
- 2 block assists
- **
Sydney Wilson**
- 8 kills on .263 hitting
- 2 digs
- **
Brooke Rifkin**
- 11 digs
- 2 assists
Fighting Scots Top Performers (Monmouth)
- **Kaylee Celus**
- 14 kills
- 17 digs
- 17.5 points
- 3 blocks
- **Melina Teunis**
- 11 blocks
- 7 kills
- 14.0 points
- **Abriana Bruns**
- 22 digs
- **Tyla Mattson**
- 23 assists
- 12 digs
- 2 kills on 1.000 hitting
- **Isa Hughes**
- 5 service aces
- 14 assists
- 8 digs
Tigers Top Performers (DePauw)
- **Jen Proeh**
- 9 kills on 1.000 hitting
- 6 total blocks
- 12.0 points
- **Madeline Ozersky**
- 9 kills on .360 hitting
- 6 total blocks
- 7 digs
- 12.0 points
- **Julia McWaters**
- 20 assists
- 10 digs
- 3 service aces
- **Lauren Bohn**
- 11 digs
- 2 service aces
- **Addison Hooker**
- 7 kills
- 9 digs
- 2 service aces
Match Notes:
- The match against Monmouth marked the first meeting between the Scarlet Hawks and the Fighting Scots.
- Donaldson established a career-high in kills with 11 in the match against Monmouth.
- The match against DePauw was the first-ever meeting between Illinois Tech women's volleyball and the Tigers.
- Trautmann Mendez reached the milestone of 100 total points on the season during the match against DePauw, now at 103.
Up Next
Illinois Tech hosts Elmhurst University on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Keating Sports Center in a local non-conference matchup.
