Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Wichita St
Salukis Volleyball Sweeps Wichita State, Get First MVC Win
02/22/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
September 30, 2000
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (8-8, 1-4 in MVC) swept Wichita State 15-5, 15-13, 15-2 to win its first Missouri Valley Conference match of the year. The win snaps a Saluki six game losing skid. Wichita State falls to 1-13 overall, 0-6 in MVC play.
"It was important to win no matter who we played tonight. We needed to get off the losing slide. Feeling a win will help us. It was a good match," Sonya Locke, Saluki head volleyball coach said. "We're just looking for consistency. It's really important that we show some consistency. I'm not taking anything away from Wichita State, but we blocked really well tonight (13 to 3). That was the deciding factor and it'll show up in the stats that way. I'm just glad that we could block like that."
Locke is happy to get a win, but knows there is a long way to go to get back to the MVC Tournament again.
"This is going to be an uphill battle, our conference is tough. The MVC doesn?t get the recognition it deserves for being a tough conference and it is a tough conference. I'm happy to get one, but we need a few more. When we decide we're going to win, we win and that's the bottom line. I'm not taking anything away from any of our opponents, but that?s the case. The 15-2 score shows what we can do," Locke added. "We have chemistry and any successful team needs that on and off the court. We?re up for the challenge."
Kristie Kemner led the Salukis with 11 kills and 5 digs. Jenny Noel had a strong night with 8 block assists, 5 kills, and 5 digs. Qiana Nelson added 7 kills and 6 digs. Tara Cains chipped in with 6 block assists and 5 kills.
The Salukis travel to Drake on October 6, and Creighton on October 7. The Salukis return to Carbondale to host Northern Iowa on October 13 and Bradley on October 14. Both matches will be played at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym and Coach Locke expects to have the SIU faithful in the crowd.
"Our faithful fans are really, really loyal and we certainly appreciate that. We want to see this place packed, we're 4-1 at home this year and we have more matches to come," said Locke.
