Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Hosts Tennessee-Martin In Non-Conference Play
10/06/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 6, 2003
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (3-13, 0-6 MVC) will host Tennessee-Martin (3-16, 1-3 OVC) in a non-conference game on Tuesday in Davies Gym at 7 p.m. The Salukis will try to snap a four-game losing streak and pick up their first home win of the season, when they face the Skyhawks.
"We're looking for improvement from our team and this is another opportunity to get a win. A win would be a big boost for our confidence. We're starting to develop a pretty good rivalry with Tennessee-Martin," SIU head coach Sonya Locke said.
"A win would be nice and if a win comes that's fine, as long as we improve our play. We told our kids that it doesn't matter if this is a non-conference match. They all matter and we expect them to come out and play hard. We have to figure out what we can do on a regular basis to score points. It's important to do all the basics well."
The Salukis were swept by SMS and Wichita State on the road last weekend, falling to 0-6 in MVC play for the first time in SIU history. The Salukis were led by junior middle blocker Carrie Shephard's 16 kills and 2.67 kills per game and sophomore Marissa Washington's .333 hitting percentage (10 kills, 2 errors, 24 attempts) last week.
Tennessee-Martin went 1-2 last week, losing to St. Louis (3-0) and Jacksonville State (3-1) and beating Samford (3-0) to earn their first Ohio Valley match. SIU lost to the Skyhawks 3-1 last season for the first time, and leads the all-time series 6-1.
SIU is led by senior Kelly Harman (143 kills, 2.70 kpg, 138 digs, 2.60 dpg), junior Carrie Shephard (95 kills, 47 blocks, .84 bpg), sophomore Marissa Washington (.246 hitting %, 44 blocks, .79 bpg, 89 kills) and freshmen Holly Marita (584 assists, 9.90 apg, 128 digs, 2.17 dpg, 23 aces, .39 apg), Haley Hann (134 kills, 2.27 kpg, 15 aces, 37 blocks), Jene' Pulliam (76 kills, 62 digs) and Ashley Saverine (107 kills, 2.23 kpg, 121 digs, 2.52 dpg). Juniors Erica Miller (120 digs, 2.26 dpg) and Kelly Katricka (58 digs, 2.90 dpg) lead the SIU defense.
The Tennessee-Martin match is part of Faculty/Staff Night, where the SIU Athletic Department and Maytag will give away a brand new Maytag washer and dryer worth over $900.00. All SIU faculty and staff are eligible to win the prize if they register at the volleyball match by showing their SIU ID. The lucky winner's name will be drawn between game two and three of the match. Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for high school age and under.
