Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Western Illinois
Volleyball defeats Western Illinois 3-1
09/13/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2008
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team opened their first game of the Saluki Invitational with a win over Western Illinois in four games, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20.
The Salukis (6-1) recorded their sixth win of the season, with a defeat over the Westerwinds (3-6), giving them their best season start since 2002. SIU hit .264, posting 59 kills including four aces and seven blocks.
"We didn't play our best volleyball, and ball-control wise they served us short," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "We practiced that a lot, but they really forced our middles to try and take some balls."
Jennifer Berwanger and Brooklyn Robbins produced big for the Salukis with two double-doubles. Berwanger recorded 19 kills with 10 digs, while Robbins posted 49 assists and 10 digs against Western Illinois. Kelsie Laughlin contributed to SIU's 72 digs of the night with 17, while libero Kristy Elswick posted 14 digs toward the win.
"Jen Berwanger needs to be there when the game is on the line," Winkeler said. "Having a call on the line in the second set was tight, we should have went to her, she definitely did a lot for us."
The Salukis will begin play tomorrow at 12 p.m. against Arkansas State and will play in the tournament finale against Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. All games will take place at Davies Gym.
