Southern Illinois University
Missouri State
Volleyball swept by Missouri State
10/06/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 6, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Missouri State volleyball team hit nearly .300 on the night with 53 kills to spoil Southern Illinois' Homecoming weekend, sweeping the Salukis (30-16, 30-26, 30-22) in Davies Gym Friday night in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Southern (8-9, 3-4) struggled with ball control in game one as the Bears (12-4, 5-1) went on a 17-6 run for the victory, 30-16.
SIU came back to hit .312 in game two with 15 kills and just five errors, but it wasn't enough as the Salukis dropped a close game two, 30-26.
In game three, attack errors were key as SIU found themselves down early 12-4 and couldn't recover, hitting .000 with nine kills and nine errors.
"They are a quick team," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said of the Bears. "They get to a lot of balls and have great ball control. Their setter really controls the offense."
Kristie Berwanger led the Salukis at the net with 10 kills, hitting a career-high .409 with just one error in 22 attempts. The sophomore added eight digs and one block assist.
Kelsie Laughlin added eight kills, while Johannah Yutzy recorded six.
Saluki libero Kristy Elswick posted a match-high 20 digs.
"We had good play from our young kids tonight," Winkeler said. "Kristie, Kelsie and Kristy all played well and though the stats didn't show it, Chandra (Roberson) played well blocking up front. (Marina) Medic also came in late in the match and blocked well."
The Salukis, third in the MVC this season at the net, out-blocked the Bears, 7.0 team blocks to 5.0, including one solo and four block assists from Roberson.
SIU held MSU's Erin O'Connor to 11 kills on the night. The senior is averaging over 4.0 blocks per game this season. The Bears' Jamie Adams led all hitters with 12 kills.
Missouri State's setter Katelyn Panzau did most of the damage on the night, hitting .727 with eight kills and no errors on 11 attempts. The junior transfer from South Carolina added 36 assists and two block assists.
"We need to improve," Winkeler said. "We need to get into a better mind set. We're not hitting the ball aggressive as a team right now."
The Salukis return to action Saturday against Wichita State in Davies Gym at 7 p.m.
