Southern Illinois University
Wichita State
Volleyball drops match to Wichita State, 3-0
11/04/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 4, 2005
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The 23rd ranked Wichita State Shockers posted four players in double-digit digs in a three-game sweep of Southern Illinois Friday night in Davies Gym, but the sweep was anything but easy.
Southern threw everything they had at the only undefeated team in the Missouri Valley Conference, coming within game point twice in the final game of the match, eventually losing the set, 30-25, 30-26, 33-31.
"(Wichita State) is physically very talented, they sit atop the league with no losses," Winkeler said. "When it came down to it, they got the ball to their big kids and we're a little smaller blocking. In the end, that height advantage takes over."
Kristie Berwanger came up big for the Salukis with her second career-performance in a week, tying a career-best 12 kills, with only three errors in 27 attacks at outside hitter for a .333 average. The freshman, starting just her seventh game in place of injured Jene' Pulliam, added three blocks and five digs on the night.
"It's a very unfortunate circumstance," Berwanger said of Pulliam's injury "I wish Jene' was out there, but I'm making the most of it. You only get so much time on the court, I'm just going to bust it every chance I get."
The Salukis (9-15, 5-9) matched well with the Shockers (22-2, 13-0), hitting .221 to Wichita State's .301. Both teams recorded 16 errors on the night, but the Shockers defense put up 69 digs to the Salukis' 53.
"Tonight everyone busted it on every ball and that's all you can ask for from your teammates," Berwanger said. "I think that a lot of people are starting to respect the SIU volleyball team and that's what we're trying to do is build up this program."
Johannah Yutzy added 10 kills, hitting .348, with five digs and three blocks for Southern. Haley Hann added nine kills and seven digs, while Katy DeWulf posted seven kills.
Holly Marita and Marissa Washington chipped in five kills each, Marita recording a game-high 39 assists. Washington posted two block assists to added to her career tally of 333, ninth all-time at SIU.
Kristy Elswick led the defense with 22 digs, moving up to fourth on the single-season dig list at SIU with 404.
"Kristy's a fantastic defensive player and along with that, she has a great attitude," Winkeler said. "She doesn't act like a freshman. She comes in and the kids leave it to her to pass and do most of the defense for us." The Salukis dropped their second straight MVC match to the top two teams in the Valley, Wichita State and Illinois State, taking on the third-ranked team in the league Missouri State Saturday. The Salukis face the Bears at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym for the team's final home match of the season. The contest will also be the final home match of graduating senior Marissa Washington's career.
"(Our play) been a roller coaster ride lately," Elswick said, "especially in our last two games. I thought tonight we were consistent the whole night and just played well. We want to stay consistent like that tomorrow night against Missouri State."
