Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drake University
Volleyball sweeps Drake on the road
11/03/2007 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2007
By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Southern Illinois volleyball team ended a four-match losing streak in Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday night with a three-game sweep of Drake at the Knapp Center, 30-28, 30-15, 34-32.
The Salukis (13-13, 5-9 MVC) were led by Chandra Roberson in the second sweep of the Bulldogs (7-19, 4-11 MVC) this season. The sophomore middle blocker recorded 15 kills, two solo and three block assists in the victory.
The rest of the Saluki offense was a balanced attack by the remaining starters as Jennifer Berwanger and Kelsie Laughlin pitched in seven kills each and Kristie Berwanger and Marina Medic contributed six kills each.
Defensively, Laughlin and Jennifer Berwanger recorded a team-high 10 digs apiece. At the net, Southern out-blocked the home team 11.0 to 2.0 team blocks led by Roberson. Laughlin put up one solo and three block assists, while Medic posted a match-high four block assists.
Samantha Nelson led the Bulldogs with 16 kills, while Angela Bys added 10. Lindsay Schryver and Alana Wittenburg recorded a match-high 11 digs each.
SIU is still in the race for the sixth and final spot in the MVC tournament over Thanksgiving weekend. After falling to Creighton Friday night, the Salukis dropped to seventh, but the victory over Drake pulls them even with travel partner Evansville in the win column with five, but down one loss as the Aces face third-place Creighton Sunday.
The Salukis return to Davies Gym next weekend for the final weekend of home play. Friday, Southern will host Bradley at 7 p.m., while Saturday UNI comes to Carbondale as seniors Kari Buehlhorn and Trisha Kamphuis will be honored at 5 p.m. Fans that show a football ticket at the door Saturday will get in for $1.
