Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Set To Open Fall Practice Wednesday
08/04/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 4, 2003
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University volleyball team begins the 2003 season with the opening of fall practice on Wednesday morning, August 6. Head coach Sonya Locke will welcome 17 student-athletes to the team's first practice at Davies Gym.
"We're ready for practice to start. It's time to get back in the gym and start the season so we can get an opinion formed on what kind of team we'll have," said Sonya Locke, SIU head coach. "We have a lot of things up in the air like who our setter will be and who our outside hitters will be among other things. We're ready to find out what the strengths of the kids are."
Locke enters her 13th year as head coach at SIU, coming off her most successful season in 2002. The Salukis went 23-10, SIU's best finish in 17 years, including a 12-6 mark (third place) in MVC play. Southern Illinois beat Illinois State and SMS at the MVC Tournament to advance to its first-ever MVC Tournament Final before falling to Northern Iowa.
SIU returns four lettermen and five members from last year's successful squad in addition to 12 newcomers, including 11 freshman to the program. Assistant coaches Matt Affolder and Lenika Lamar also return for their second seasons under Locke.
The Salukis open the season at home, hosting the 17th Saluki Invitational August 29-30 at Davies Gymnasium. SIU will start the 2003 campaign Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m. against Austin Peay State University.
