Southern Illinois University
Evansville
Volleyball aced by Evansville
11/10/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 10, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois libero Kristy Elswick posted a match-high 17 digs to set a new school record for digs in a season, but it wasn't enough as Evansville came to Davies Gym and swept the Salukis, 30-22, 30-23, 30-16, in Missouri Valley Conference play Friday night.
Elswick has recorded 514 digs this season, breaking the record of 503 set by Kristie Kemner in 2002. The mark places her 15th in the MVC record books. The sophomore has 995 career digs in just two seasons, seventh all-time in the career books at Southern.
"Evansville played well," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "We couldn't pick up their tips and rolls, something that we really worked on all week in practice."
The Purple Aces' defense dominated, posting four players in double-digit digs, recording 70 total to the Salukis' 55.
Evansville also out-blocked the third-ranked blocking team in the conference 10.0 total team blocks to 4.0, recording 16 block assists to SIU's six.
Johannah Yutzy led the Salukis with eight kills, while Kristie Berwanger added seven kills and seven digs.
Chandra Roberson and Kelsie Laughlin chipped in six kills each, Roberson adding one solo and two block assists and Laughlin eight digs.
"Now we just have to try to rebound," Winkeler added. "Tonight was a big game, but we didn't rise to the challenge. All we can do is work hard this week."
A Saluki win over the Purple Aces would have guaranteed a bid to the MVC tournament Nov. 24-25, but now SIU must wait until the final weekend of play to see if their efforts are enough to push them into the top six in The Valley standings and a post-season appearance for the first time since 2002.
"There's a lot of things that have happened in conference this year," Winkeler said. "There have been a lot of upsets, anything can happen."
SIU will return to play in Davies Gym the final weekend of regular season play, hosting Creighton Friday and Drake Saturday. Both matches are set to start at 7 p.m.
