Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball In Must-Win Situation The Rest Of The Year
10/31/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 31, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University (8-15, 3-10 MVC) will be on the road this weekend in must-win MVC matches against Creighton (11-9, 9-3 MVC) on Friday, November 2 and Drake (5-15, 1-11 MVC) November 3.
The Salukis are currently tied for seventh place, four games behind sixth place Indiana State with five MVC matches to play. The top six teams advance to the MVC Tournament.
"We have to win out to get to the tournament, it's the only way we have a chance to get in. The team knows the situation we're in," said Sonya Locke, Saluki head coach.
"I still believe we can reach the tournament. We have to shoot for our goals and try to win all five matches and see what happens. We have to step up."
Earlier this season at home SIU beat Drake 3-0 but lost to Creighton 3-1.
"We have to stop the transition quick attack if we're going to beat Creighton, that's what they're best at doing. If we can stop that we'll have a chance and we have to play solid to beat Drake," added Locke.
"Passing and defense plus serving will be the key once again. Our hitting has been suspect the last few matches so we need more kills and to do a better job of blocking."
Next weekend, the Salukis will face Evansville in an MVC match and Morehead State and Samford in non-conference play at the Evansville Tournament on November 9-10.
