Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Home Schedule With 25th Saluki Invitational
09/08/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 8, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team hopes to start a winning streak this weekend, when the Salukis host the 25th Saluki Invitational at Davies Gym on Sept. 10-11. Eastern Illinois (3-1), UMKC (0-2) and Wyoming (2-2) will be the tournament participants.
"It's going to be a challenge and I'm glad, because that's what we need. It's always nice to play at home and it's good to play at home early so our fans can get involved early," said SIU head coach Sonya Locke.
"Defense and ball control is the name of the game. We need to play good defense, which takes you over the top. Our ball control needs to be better whether we're serving, hitting or passing the ball."
The Salukis opened the season with a third place finish and a 1-2 record at the Trosclair Memorial Tournament in New Orleans, La. last weekend. SIU opened with losses to Georgetown (3-1) and Tulane (3-0), before winning its final match over Nicholls State (3-0).
Despite having more kills (148 to 133), less errors (66 to 68), a better hitting percentage (.213 to .165), more kills per game (14.8 to 13.3), assists (139 to 116) and digs (169 to 134), SIU lost two of three matches.
"We've done a good job of increasing the tempo of our offense, but we need to continue to improve as the season moves forward. I need to see more consistency on offense and we have to control our side of the net better to win those matches," added Locke.
Sophomore rightside hitter Haley Hann led SIU with 32 kills and 3.2 kills per game and was named to the Trosclair Memorial All-Tournament Team. Hann is hitting .289 (3rd) and will get help from middle blockers Marissa Washington, a junior, and Carrie Shephard, a senior. Washington leads the SIU attack with a .370 hitting percentage (6th in MVC) and is followed by Shephard's .362 mark (7th in MVC).
The Salukis will face Eastern Illinois on Friday at 7 p.m. and UMKC at 11:00 a.m. and Wyoming at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased by adults for $4 and high school students and younger for $3. For more information, please call the SIU Ticket Office at (618) 453-2000.
2004 SALUKI SILKWORM INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
CARBONDALE, ILL. -- DAVIES GYMNASIUM
Friday, Sept. 10
Sept. 10 Wyoming vs. UMKC 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Eastern Illinois @ Southern Illinois 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11
Sept. 11 UMKC @ Southern Illinois 11:00 a.m.
Sept. 11 Wyoming vs. Eastern Illinois 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 11 Eastern Illinois vs. UMKC 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Wyoming @ Southern Illinois 7:00 p.m.
