Southern Illinois University
Bradley
Volleyball beats Bradley, Winkeler captures 100th career victory
09/29/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
PEORIA, Ill. - Southern Illinois volleyball head coach Brenda Winkeler propelled her team above .500 for the third time this season while capturing her 100th career victory in just her seventh year of coaching at the Division I level.
The Salukis improved to 8-7 on the season, 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference, after a 3-1 win over Bradley at the Robertson Memorial Field House Friday night.
Southern won the first game of the match, stretching the score to 35-33. The Braves bounced back in game two, 30-25, but couldn't hold on as SIU rebounded after the break, 30-27, 30-23.
"The team really showed a lot of poise in the first game," Winkeler, now 100-97 in her coaching career, said of her team. "Winning close games and coming from behind is important, especially on the road. It was a good learning experience for the team."
Johannah Yutzy led the Salukis with 16 kills and three block assists on the night, while fellow middle blocker Chandra Roberson chipped in 15 kills, two solo and five block assists.
Kristie Berwanger recorded her third straight double-double with 12 kills, 11 digs.
"Holly Marita really sparked us off the bench in the third game," Winkeler added. "She finished off the match. The entire team worked well to make things happen for us. All around everyone played well."
Marita posted 19 assists, while starting setter Erica Bartruff recorded 33.
Saluki libero Kristy Elswick recorded a match-high 27 digs, while Kelsie Laughlin and Kari Buehlhorn each recorded a career-high in digs, Laughlin 20, Buehlhorn, 12.
"The key to the game was serving," Winkeler said. "We really served aggressive tonight and that was important. Yutzy went back to using her jump serve and Kelsie came out with three big ace serves."
The Salukis recorded nine on the night, including a career-high three from Laughlin and two from Haley Hann.
"This is definitely an important win to be my 100th," Winkeler said of her coaching milestone, "but its great to win any day. Now it's time to focus on tomorrow's match."
The Salukis will take a road trip north to take on Northern Iowa Saturday at 7 p.m. in Cedar Falls, Iowa. SIU has not won a match in the Panthers' West Gym since 1985.
