Southern Illinois University
UNI
Volleyball loses to Northern Iowa, 3-0
09/23/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2005
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Northern Iowa volleyball team held the Southern Illinois offense to a .072 hitting percentage on the night as the Panthers went on to sweep the Salukis, 3-0, Friday in UNI's West Gym.
The Panthers came out strong with a 30-24 win in the first game, but the Salukis bounced back in the second pulling ahead by as many as six points. UNI tied the match at 30, and two Panther kills put the game away 32-30. UNI went on to win the third game 30-22.
The loss drops the Salukis to 1-1 in league play and 3-7 overall. The Panthers maintain a perfect 3-0 record in conference play and a 9-4 overall mark.
The Saluki offense was led by setter Holly Marita who tallied nine kills on her way to a .692 hitting percentage to lead all hitters. The junior also added 23 assists and four block assists. Middle blocker Marissa Washington also added nine kills, one solo block and three block assists.
Johannah Yutzy tallied eight kills, seven digs and three block assists, while Haley Hann and Kristy Elswick picked up 10 digs apiece, Hann adding seven assists and three service aces.
"I feel we're getting better every match," head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "Our passing was great tonight. Haley (Hann) played great defense, tying Elswick for digs."
The Panthers hit .214 on the night adding 20 block assists. They hit .395 in the first game of the match, but the Salukis held them to .125 and .150 in the last two games.
"I felt great about our defense and blocking," Winkeler added. "They are a high offensive and powerful team. Holding them to low hitting percentages in the final two games was definitely a plus."
Southern will travel to Peoria, Ill., Saturday to take on Bradley at 7 p.m. for their second conference game of the weekend. Sunday the team will take on Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill., at 3 p.m.
