Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Sacred Heart
Volleyball opens season with sweep against Sacred Heart
08/29/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
NIAGARA, N.Y. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team swept Sacred Heart (25-17, 25-6, 25-16) at the Niagara University Tournament to start their season 1-0.
The Salukis came out strong hitting .350 and combined for 11 blocks against the Pioneers. Junior Chandra Roberson led the team with eight kills and five block assists.
Head coach Brenda Winkeler was pleased with the team's performance in the season's opening match.
"We only made three errors," Winkeler said. "I told them no matter how good or bad the team is, if you can't hit the ball inbounds it's not going to make a difference. I was happy with our ability not to make errors."
SIU also did well serving, with a total of seven team aces, three of which came from Sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger.
"We were able to serve to people we wanted to attack," said Winkeler. "That really threw them off which led to lopsided scoring."
The Salukis will continue play at the Niagara Tournament tomorrow against Oakland at 11 a.m. CT and Niagara at 4:30 p.m. CT.
"Oakland is smaller and quicker," Winkeler said. "So we will have to come out again and block well, which is what helped us today."
