Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Long Island
SIU Wins Saluki/Best Inns Invitational...Kemner Named Tourney MVP
02/22/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2000
Carbondale, Ill. -
Southern Illinois University (3-0) overcame a 2-1 match deficit, the loss of setter Britten Follett, and a three point margin in the fifth game to beat Murray State University 3-2 for the championship of the Saluki Best Inns Invitational in Davies Gym. The 15-8, 7-15, 8-15, 15-5, 15-12 win keeps the Salukis undefeated after the tough win over Murray State (2-1).
"I'm very pleased we won, we lost our setter and we overcame the hurdle to sit at 3-0," Saluki Head Coach Sonya Locke said. "We want to win a conference championship and you have to win three straight to do that. We put together three wins this weekend with our depth and I feel like we have some momentum before we head to the Syracuse Tournament next weekend."
Kristie Kemner was named Tournament MVP, leading the Salukis with 20 kills and 14 digs. Jenny Noel also represented the Salukis on the All-Tournament Team, adding 13 kills and 11 digs. Britten Follett joined the All-Tournament Team with 44 assists for the Salukis. Lindsey Schultz came off the bench to add 16 kills in the title clinching match and Megan Baumstark chipped in 18 assists in relief of Britten Follett.
"Megan Baumstark stepped in and we came together to win the match. We are maturing as a team and we played great defense tonight," Locke added. "We were aggressive and came back to win when we were down in the fourth game and down in the final game, which shows we are coming together. It was a great match for us."
In Saturday's other game SIU beat Long Island University 15-5, 15-5, 15-5. Murray State beat the University of Louisiana-Monroe 15-3, 15-8, 15-13, and Long Island University beat the University of Louisiana-Monroe 8-15, 15-10, 13-15, 15-9, 18-16 for third place.
Following the Saluki/Best Inns Inviatational,the Salukis will compete in the Orange Classic at Syracuse University on Sept. 8-9, before facing Evansville on the road in their first MVC game of the year on Sept. 12. SIU will then travel to the Conference Challenge on Sept. 15-16 at the University of Kentucky. The Salukis next home appearances are Sept. 29 vs. SW Missouri State at 7 p.m. and Sept. 30 vs. Wichita State at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym.
