Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Hosts Illinois State & Indiana State In MVC Play
10/08/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2003
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (4-13, 0-6 MVC) looks to win its first MVC match this weekend when the Salukis face Illinois State (6-10, 0-5 MVC) and Indiana State (7-7, 2-3 MVC) on Friday and Saturday respectively in Davies Gym at 7 p.m. The Salukis are two games behind Indiana State, the sixth place team in the MVC, for the final MVC Tournament berth.
"Every MVC match is big because we need wins to get in the top six and make the MVC Tournament. Each match is an opportunity to help yourself and if we win two matches this weekend, we can be tied for the sixth spot. Being at home is nice, but we still have to play at a much higher level. It was nice to get that win Tuesday night, but we have to play much better to beat teams like Illinois State and Indiana State. We have to take advantage of other teams weaknesses and maximize our opportunities," SIU head coach Sonya Locke said.
The Salukis beat Tennessee-Martin 3-1 on Tuesday to snap a four-match losing streak. SIU was led by the career-high performances of freshman Jene' Pulliam (17 kills) and sophomore Marissa Washington (12 kills) and double-doubles by senior Kelly Harman (15 kills, 13 digs) and freshman Holly Marita (35 assists, 17 digs). The Salukis hit a season-high .250 (67 kills, 27 errors, 160 attempts) and tied a team-high with 10 aces in the match. The 67 kills is just one short of the season-high 68 kills versus Creighton.
Illinois State beat DePaul 3-1 on Tuesday night, snapping a five-match losing streak. The Redbirds will also be looking for their first MVC win of the season as well. Indiana State is coming off a 3-2 win over Illinois State last Saturday, but has lost four of its last six matches. Locke expects tough matches despite the records or team's struggles coming into this weekend.
"You can throw out the records in league play. Both teams are more consistent and much more experienced than we are. We're still working on our chemistry. Illinois State always plays good defense and passes the ball well and they're much better than a 6-10 and an 0-5 conference team," added Locke.
"Indiana State has good middle blockers who can dominate the game if we let them, and they consistently play good defense. We'll have to choose our battles, but we have to serve tough against both teams, pass the ball well and play good defense to get wins."
SIU lost both regular season matches to Illinois State last year before beating the Redbirds in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals to snap a 24-match losing streak. Illinois State still leads the series 48-5-1. The Salukis swept Indiana State last season and leads the series 28-12-1.
"Last year is last year and our team and their teams are teams are very different this season. We have to start our own streak this year and pick up our play," stated Locke.
SIU is led by senior Kelly Harman (158 kills, 2.77 kpg, 151 digs, 2.65 dpg, 15 blocks, 10 aces), junior Carrie Shephard (102 kills, 50 blocks, .83 bpg, 18 aces, 48 digs), sophomore Marissa Washington (101 kills, .249 Hitting %, 47 blocks, .78 bpg, 48 digs, 8 aces) and freshmen Holly Marita (619 assists, 9.83 apg, 54 kills, 145 digs, 2.30 dpg, 23 aces, 20 blocks), Haley Hann (142 kills, 2.25 kpg, 39 blocks, .62 bpg, 81 digs, 16 aces), Jene' Pulliam (93 kills, 2.45 kpg, 70 digs, 1.84 dpg, 12 blocks) and Ashley Saverine (107 kills, 2.23 kpg, 121 digs, 2.52 dpg, 6 aces). Juniors Erica Miller (125 digs, 2.19 dpg) and Kelly Katricka (67 digs, 2.79 dpg) lead the SIU defense.
