Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Southwest Missouri State
Volleyball Wins MVC Opener Over SMS In 3-2 Thriller
09/17/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Down 14-13 in game five and staring at match point, Southern Illinois (3-5, 1-0 MVC) scored four of the next five points to beat defending MVC champion SMS 30-26, 27-30, 30-27, 25-30, 17-15 in the Valley opener for both teams on Friday at Davies Gym.
"I'm so happy. This was a huge win for us. It was a great team effort and a well-balanced attack. We made some changes defensively and I'm very excited that the team accepted those changes and ran with them tonight. The team trusted the staff tonight and we won the match," said an excited Sonya Locke, SIU head coach.
SMS (5-4, 0-1 MVC) made two attacking and one service error before SIU's Haley Hann hammered down the kill for the 3-2 win and a 1-0 mark in Valley play.
Jene' Pulliam's career-high 21 kills and her second straight double-double (also 12 digs) led the SIU attack. Marissa Washington (.483 hitting percentage) and Hann each added 16 kills and Jaime Hinsenkamp chipped in with a career-high 10 kills. Southern racked up a season-high 78 kills in the match.
Setter Holly Marita collected her third double-double of the year with a career-high 68 assists with 16 digs. Erica Miller's career-high 24 digs on defense played and key role in the win and Carrie Shephard contributed in many ways with nine kills, 12 digs and five blocks. Monica Laird had 11 digs as SIU set a season-high with 102 digs.
The Salukis face preseason co-favorite Wichita State at 4:00 p.m. in Davies Gym on Saturday.
