Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Indiana State
Volleyball cuts down Sycamores in four games
09/22/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 22, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team turned up the offensive intensity in the final two games of the match to over-power Indiana State, 3-1, Friday night in Davies Gym.
The Salukis combined to hit just .024 through the first two games. The SIU offense produced 17 kills to the Sycamores' seven helping secure a win, 30-21. In game two, Southern trailed the entire way, eventually dropping the match on several unforced errors, 30-25.
In games three and four SIU totaled 31 kills, hitting .223 to finish off the victory 30-23, 30-19.
Kristie Berwanger and Haley Hann led the Saluki attack with 14 kills each, Berwanger adding a career-high 16 digs for the fourth double-double of her career, as well as one solo and two block assists.
Johannah Yutzy added 12 kills in the middle, while Chandra Roberson tallied eight kills and three block assists on the night.
Senior setter Holly Marita sparked the Salukis off the bench half way through game three, finishing with 25 assists and eight digs. Sophomore Erika Bartruff added 21 assists and four digs.
"We did a good job coming back after the second game," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "Indiana State plays scrappy. They force teams to make errors. Their libero digs a lot of balls. They tip and roll a lot and they force you into that kind of play, out of our normal power offense."
Defense played a large role in the victory even though the Saluki block, currently ranked 27th in the nation, wasn't very effective against the varying speeds of the Sycamore offense. SIU finished with three solo and 10 block assists.
Libero Kristy Elswick stepped up to produce a game-high 31 digs, fifth all-time at SIU and the second-best career tally for the second-year Saluki. Kelsie Laughlin added nine and Hann added seven.
The Salukis will now focus on Illinois State Saturday at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym. SIU has not beaten the Redbirds in regular season play since 1990.
