Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Valparaiso
Volleyball wins third-straight Saluki Invitational, opens season 10-0
09/13/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com
Tournament Central
Murray State Box Score
Valparaiso Box Score
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team played 10 sets on the final day the 2009 Saluki Invitational presented by the Hampton Inn to win its third tournament of the season.
The Salukis took their third-straight Saluki Invitational title and the posted the best season-start in program history, 10-0.
After defeating UAB (5-5) Friday in four sets (26-24, 23-25, 29-27, 25-18), the Salukis took five sets to beat Murray State (26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 15-25, 15-10) Saturday afternoon. In the nightcap Saturday, the Salukis took down Valparaiso in five (25-9, 25-19, 18-25, 20-25, 15-8) for the sweep and the tournament title.
SIU's Alicia Johnson was named the tournament's most valuable player, hitting .350 on the weekend averaging 3.64 kills, 2.21 digs and 0.86 blocks per set. Jennifer Berwanger recorded three double-doubles in two days averaging 2.64 kills and 3.86 digs per set to earn all-tournament team honors. Chandra Roberson was also named to the team posting 2.21 kills and 1.21 blocks per set.
The Salukis traded sets with the win-hungry Racers (0-9) Saturday afternoon, SIU winning the first and third sets before hitting .600 in the final set with nine kills and zero errors to put the match away 15-10.
"Murray State is just a scrappy team," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "They always come here and dig a lot of balls. We showed a lot of perseverance after not being in set four to come back in set five and get it done. It showed what we've been showing all year."
Johnson led the way against Murray State with 15 kills and eight digs. Berwanger posted her seventh-straight double-double in the win, a 13 kill, 20 dig effort. Roberson recorded 12 kills, one solo and two block assists.
Saluki setter Rachael Brown led the Saluki offense with 47 assists and eight digs, while libero Lauren Blumhorst recorded 16 digs.
"We have options," Winkeler added. "Our bench really contributed in the win. We had some upperclassmen come off the bench. We have all of these players that can step in nightly and help. Not everyone is going to be at the top of their game every night."
The final match of the tournament decided the tournament title. Both SIU and Valpo (5-4) swept UAB and Murray State. The Salukis took the first two sets easily, hitting nearly .400, holding the Crusaders to a .082 percentage.
Valpo fought back in sets three and four, before Southern took a commanding 9-0 lead to start the final set and put away the win 15-8.
"We really turned it on in the final set to play almost errorless," Winkeler said. "The momentum was really in our favor and we took it."
Roberson paced the Saluki offense against Valpo with 13 kills, four solo and three block assists. Johnson added her first career double-double with 12 kills, 15 digs and four block assists, and Berwanger posted her seventh-straight double-double effort with 11 kills and 15 digs.
Blumhorst led the Saluki defense with 16 digs and Brown aided the offense with 41 assists.
"Last season, these teams (UAB and Valpo) had RPIs in the top-55 in the country. They were some top teams, really quality victories," Winkeler said. "The crowd and the atmosphere really helps. Every coach here this weekend commented about the intensity during our matches at Davies Gym and that helps us a lot."
The Salukis open the Missouri Valley C onference season Friday, S ept. 18 when they host Eva nsville at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym.
2009 Saluki Invitational All-Tournament Team
Alicia Johnson, SIU - MVP
Jennifer Berwanger, SIU
Chandra Roberson, SIU
Kim Bukowski, Valparaiso
Amy Groesbeck, Valparaiso
Sara Hayden, Murray State
Heather Thomas, UAB
