Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Maryland-Baltimore County
Volleyball Remains Undefeated at 5-0
02/22/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
September 8, 2000
Syracuse, N.Y. -
Southern Illinois University (5-0) swept Buffalo (2-2) 15-8, 15-11, 15-6, and beat Maryland-Baltimore County (3-3) 15-7, 15-3, 11-15, 15-5 at the Orange Classic at Syracuse University to stay unbeaten at 5-0.
The five wins matches the win total of the 1999 Salukis (5-21) early in the 2000 season.
"It's nice to have a goose egg in the loss column--last year we had a goose egg in the win column at this time," Saluki Head Coach Sonya Locke said. "We're winning the matches we're supposed to win and that's nice. As long as we keep doing what I expect of this team we'll be just fine. I want the kids to understand what it's like to close out matches and we are doing that, but I'm still not content with how we're playing. We can play better."
Kristie Kemner led the Salukis with 24 kills, 11 digs, and 6 aces, including 17 kills in the Maryland-Baltimore County match. Qiana Nelson chipped in with 14 kills and 15 digs, Tara Cains added 14 kills, 7 digs and 3 aces, and Jenny Noel contributed 14 kills, 4 solo blocks, and 3 digs.
The 16 service aces were key to both Saluki victories. "Our serving has been very good and we have been able to keep teams off balance," added Locke.
Megan Baumstark had a good day filling in for the injured Britten Follett with 63 assists and 6 digs for the Salukis, which impressed Coach Sonya Locke.
"Megan played as well as we expected her to and is doing just what we are asking her to do for us," Locke said.
Despite just losing one game in five matches this year, the Salukis will have to play much better to beat Fordham and host Syracuse on Saturday.
"We have to play great defense and not make any hitting errors on Saturday. We will have to play very well to beat Fordham and Syracuse. Syracuse will be the real test of where we are at as a team," Locke stated.
On Saturday the Salukis will face Fordham at 10 a.m. and play the final match of the Orange Classic against host Syracuse at 6 p.m. Siu is 1-0 (1998) all-time against Syarcuse.
Following the Orange Classic, the Salukis will face Evansville on the road in their first MVC game of the year on Sept. 12. 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.
