Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drake University
Volleyball defeats Drake, 3-2
10/17/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 17, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Southern Illinois volleyball team defeated Drake in five sets (25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 25-27, 15-7) improving to 3-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, 12-6 overall.
The Salukis (12-6, 3-5 MVC) took the first set from the Bulldogs (9-11, 2-6 MVC) 25-22, then Drake turned around and won the second set 25-22. Tied 1-1 heading into the third set, the Salukis got the win they were looking for with a 25-16 victory. The two teams battled it out in the fourth set, the Bulldogs pulling through with the 27-25 win. The fifth set went to Southern Illinois with a 15-7 final to take the match, 3-2.
Jennifer Berwanger led the team in kills, recording 19 against the Bulldogs. Chandra Roberson and Sydney Clark both posted 15 kills, a career-high for Clark. Roberson went 15 for 31, leading the Salukis in hitting percentage with .323. Clark was right behind Roberson, hitting .293.
"With Chandra and Sydney's 15 kills in addition to Jen's 19, it was pretty balanced hitting," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "Chandra did a great job, hitting .323."
Senior setter Brooklyn Robbins recorded 60 assists, her second highest mark on the season, while Kelsie Laughlin contributed 8 kills and 15 digs to the powerful Saluki offense. Five members of the Salukis hit over .250, four had double-digit digs and three posted kills in the double-digits. Southern Illinois hopes to carry this offense over into tomorrow night's match against Creighton.
"Tomorrow night is a big match," Winkeler said. "Indiana State beat Illinois State tonight, so that changes things a little bit. We had a lot better offense tonight, hitting .293, and we need to bring that to Creighton in order to win."
The Salukis return to action tomorrow night in Omaha, Neb. as they take on Creighton at 7 p.m. After their sweep over Evansville tonight, Creighton is 6-2 in the MVC, 9-7 overall and they sit in the No. 3 spot in Valley standings.
