Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis picked eighth in MVC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
08/17/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 17, 2005
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
Click here to view 2005 MVC Preseason Poll
Download Free Acrobat Reader
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Following a 9-21 overall record and 6-12 league mark in 2004, the Southern Illinois University volleyball team was picked to finish eighth for the second straight year in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday by the MVC Office. The Salukis tied for seventh in the MVC in 2004.
Wichita State, the defending 2004 Valley champion, was picked to defend its title, while Missouri State was picked second, followed by Northern Iowa and Illinois State. Creighton, Bradley and Evansville rounded out the top seven, followed by the Salukis, Indiana State and Drake.
The Salukis return the nucleus of its 2004 starting lineup under new head coach Brenda Winkeler. Winkeler, the head coach at Eastern Illinois for five years, took over the program in June after an 82-72 record and a trip to the 2001 NCAA tournament for the Panthers.
"I think the rankings are what people think and what people can look at, statistics and where they finished last year," Winkeler said. "I try to stay pretty neutral in what we try to do on the court. Obviously an eighth place finish is not something that we would set our goals to. Our goals are set higher than that."
Winkeler inherits an experienced group of juniors and one senior for the 2005 campaign. The Salukis return 85 percent of last season's offense including senior middle blocker Marissa Washington, who led the team in hitting percentage (.304) a year ago. Washington, along with juniors Haley Hann and Jene' Pulliam lead the team in all offensive categories a year ago. Hann, a rightside hitter, led the team in kills (318), while outside hitter Pulliam led in kills per game (2.83).
SIU also returns its two junior setters Holly Marita and Monica Laird. Marita finished with a team-high 1,231 assists and 26 service aces a year ago, while Laird was second on the team with 98 assists.
After the first week of practice, Winkeler is pleased with the progress the Salukis are making.
"We've had some great enthusiasm, the kids are learning very quickly," Winkeler said. "We've had some bright spots in some people and really we haven't had a bad practice yet."
The new coaching staff has made some significant changes in the offense, moving 6-1 Katy DeWulf to the outside from middle blocker and using redshirt freshman Kristie Berwanger at both rightside and middle blocker.
"DeWulf's been a pleasant surprise with her jumping ability. She's able to hit very high out there and I think that will help us if we're not on with ball control. We can get a high ball out to somebody who can put the ball away," Winkeler said. "Berwanger is also an athletic kid that jumps well and that's what we want to have on the floor."
Junior middle blocker Johannah Yutzy has also been a bright spot in the Saluki offense.
"People will be very surprised to see her," Winkeler said. "Her enthusiasm has been wonderful."
Winkeler's staff is also impressed with the work of lone true freshman Kristy Elswick, who will contribute right away for the Saluki defense.
"Right now she's solving a lot of our problems with passing," Winkeler said. "She can take half of the court and somebody else can take a third and we'll be alright. She can get to a lot of balls, she's very quick."
Though it's only been a week, the staff is pleased with the progress of the team and their adjustment to the new staff.
"Our goals right now aren't particularly about winning or losing," Winkeler said, "but more about ball control and improving our offense."
