Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball to host final home matches of the season
11/13/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 13, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team will host Creighton and Drake in their last home matches of the season.
The Salukis are 13-7 overall heading into this weekend's matches, with a 5-9 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. Last weekend Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, and Missouri State secured the top-four spots in the conference, with Evansville, Illinois State and Southern Illinois currently competing for the fifth and sixth place spots. Evansville is 7-7 in conference play, while Illinois State is 6-9, just half a match ahead of the 5-9 Salukis. The top six teams will compete at the MVC Tournament Nov. 27-29 in Wichita, Kansas. Last season the Salukis finished sixth in the MVC, traveling to the tournament for the first time since 2002. As the season is winding down, they will once again have their eye on that spot that will get them to the tournament.
"Going into the weekend, obviously it's the end of the year so we need to get some big victories," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "We were close at Creighton and went five sets at Drake. We play a lot better at Davies, so these are both important matches."
While the Salukis are looking to finish out the season strong, they are recognizing four seniors that have made their success possible. Saturday night Erika Bartruff, Kristie Berwanger, Kristy Elswick, and Brooklyn Robbins will play their last matches in Davies Gym.
"Nothing is more important than the seniors that are walking out the door," said Winkeler. "Erika Bartruff has been here three years, has been a key to our success in the transition years of setting and means a lot to the team as a leader. Kristy Elswick and Brooklyn Robbins too, you can look and see what they mean to the program, as well as Kristie Berwanger. It will be an important night for those seniors."
The Salukis will take on the Blue Jays of Creighton on Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday's match against Drake will begin with a tribute to the seniors, followed by a 7:10 p.m. start time.
