MACOMB, ILL. --  Junior Alisa DeBerg Roth (Hudson, Iowa) had a team-high seven kills as the Drake women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to a season high five matches with a 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 non-conference victory at Western Illinois Tuesday night.

A kill by DeBerg Roth broke a 23-23 tie in the third set paving the way for the Drake victory.

The Bulldogs improved to 16-7 overall, needing just one victory to ensure their first winning season since 1996.

"We played well enough to win," said Drake second-year head coach Phil McDaniel, whose team won its fourth straight match against Western Illinois.
 "Our blocking wasn't quite as sharp as past matches. But it was still nice to get a win on the road."

Senior Chelsea Lauersdorf (Watertown, Wis.) had 26 assists for the Bulldogs, while junior Alana Wittenburg (Readlyn, Iowa) had 12 digs.

"I thought Chelsea did a nice job distributing the ball," McDaniel added.

Junior Angela Bys (Marion, Iowa) and sophomore Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa) collected six kills apiece for Drake.

Drake will resume Missouri Valley Conference action Friday night hosting Indiana State followed by a Saturday night home match against Illinois State.

"It is certainly nice to come home and get back in the conference mode," McDaniel added. "We control our own destiny and we need to continue to play well."