Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Murray St
Volleyball Sweeps Murray State 3-0
10/26/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 26, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After a week off, Haley Hann (13 kills), Jene' Pulliam (12) and Carrie Shephard (10) led Southern Illinois (7-15) to a 30-20, 30-26, 30-20 sweep over Murray State (4-13) on Tuesday in Davies Gym.
"I was really hoping for a sweep. I wanted to win this match in three games," said Sonya Locke, SIU head coach.
"It's really important for our kids to understand how to push through and finish a match and I'm happy we did it, despite a letdown in game two. We reacted and covered some balls that we usually don't get to tonight and that's exciting to me, since that's what we practice."
SIU swept an opponent for just the second time this year and first time since its first win of the season over Nicholls State (Sept. 4). The sweep returned the favor of last year's 3-0 loss to Murray State and extended the Salukis' all-time lead in the series to 10-2.
Pulliam's .435 attack percentage (12K, 2E, 23TA) was a match-high. Hann also hit well with a .367 mark (13K, 2E, 30TA) in addition to five digs and four blocks. Shephard continued her strong play, hitting .350 (10K, 2E, 20TA) with eight digs and a team-high six blocks.
Holly Marita ran the offense with 45 assists and added eight digs and two blocks. Jaime Hinsenkamp chipped in nine kills, Marissa Washington had five blocks and Erica Miller led the defense with 12 digs.
SIU hit .278 to just .116 for the Racers, had more blocks (11 to 7), digs (59 to 49), assists (48 to 32) and kills (52 to 35) to control the match nearly from start to finish.
MSU's lone leads were 1-0 in game one and 4-0 in game three before SIU rallied to tie the game 7-7 and take the lead for good 9-8. Allie Hunt led Murray State with 15 kills.
Southern Illinois has won the first two matches (also Evansville last Tuesday) of a four-match home stand to improve to 5-5 at Davies Gym this season.
The sixth place Salukis will close the home stand this weekend with matches on Friday and Saturday against fifth place Creighton and last place Drake respectively.
