Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball continues MVC Tournament race this weekend
11/03/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2010
By Dana Ingraham
SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): Nov. 5-6
Location(s): Normal, Ill.; Terre Haute, Ind.
Site(s): Redbird Arena (10,200); ISU Arena (500)
The Series: SIU trails Illinois State, 7-61-1; SIU leads Indiana State, 40-15-1
Head Coaches: Brenda Winkeler (167-155 overall, 85-83 at SIU); Melissa Myers (204-102 overall, 43-43 at ILS); Traci Dahl (24-65 overall and at INS)
Saluki Assistant Coaches: Julie Yankus (Associate Head Coach); Evan Hook (Assistant Coach)
Gametracker:
Live Stats: Indiana State match
Match Notes: click here
DAWG BITES
The Southern Illinois volleyball team is in its 53rd year of existence... Head Coach Brenda Winkeler is in her sixth season with the team and holds an 85-83 (.506) record... Last season the Salukis finished with an 18-12 record and were 7-11 in Missouri Valley Conference play, making their second appearance in the conference tournament in three years... SIU started the 2009 season 11-0, the best start in school history.
SALUKIS' SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
SIU (14-8, 5-7 MVC) is back on the road this weekend, traveling to Illinois State Friday, Nov. 5 for a 7 p.m. matchup, and taking on Indiana State Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
The Redbirds entered the 2010 season with five returning starters and 11 returning letterwinners. Illinois State, led by Melissa Myers in her third season, recorded a 12-17 overall record last year, finishing 7-11 in the Valley for a seventh-place finish. Currently this season, the Redbirds hold a 15-11 overall record and a 5-8 mark in the MVC heading into their second meeting with SIU. Mallory Leggett leads the ILS offense with 3.42 kills per set, while Jenny Menendez heads up the defense posting 4.54 digs per set. Kristin Stauter is second in the MVC with 10.40 assists per set, and Tabitha Visk averages 0.98 blocks per set. As a team, Illinois State leads the Valley overall in service aces per set, averaging 1.42.
SERIES WITH ILS
SIU trails the all-time series with Illinois State, 7-61-1. In 2009, the Salukis split with the Redbirds, losing at home, 3-1, and sweeping Illinois State on the road. Southern has taken the last two contests from ILS, defeating the Redbirds in Davies Gym back on Oct. 9. That victory snapped a 23-match home losing streak to Illinois State, marking the first time the Salukis had beat the Redbirds in Davies since the first match of the 1981 season.
SCOUTING INDIANA STATE
The Sycamores entered the 2010 season with just one returning starter plus their libero, and nine returning letterwinners. Indiana State, led by Traci Dahl in her third season, recorded a 7-25 overall record last year, finishing 3-75 in the Valley for a ninth place finish. This season, the Sycamores are 9-17 and 1-12 in the MVC. Morgan Dall leads the INS offense with 4.12 kills per set, while Kiya James heads up the defense, averaging 4.08 digs per set. Shelbi Fouty adds 6.25 assists per set, and Auriel Armstrong averages 0.65 blocks per set.
SERIES WITH INS
SIU leads the all-time series with Indiana State, 40-15-1. In 2009, the Salukis took both contests against the Sycamores, winning at home 3-1 and on the road 3-0. The Salukis won a wild five-set match against the Sycamores in Davies Gym earlier this season on Oct. 8.
SUPER SALUKI
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger moved to No. 4 in the SIU record books for matches played in a career, totaling 120 court appearances during her career as a Saluki. Since her redshirt season in 2006, Berwanger has played in 112 consecutive matches for Southern.
SET FOR SUCCESS
Saluki setter Rachael Brown recorded her ninth double-double of the season and the 15th of her career Saturday against Bradley with 44 assists and 10 digs. Brown has 782 assists on the year and is currently third in the Valley standings overall, averaging 10.29 per set.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MIDDLE
SIU middle blockers Jasmine Conner and Alysia Mayes were a tough duo to overcome Saturday against Bradley. The senior-sophomore tandem combined for 21 kills, three solo blocks and five block-assists in SIU's win over BU. Conner leads the Salukis and is second in the MVC with 1.15 blocks per set.
NCAA RANKINGS
In the most recent NCAA national standings for matches through Oct. 31, the Salukis stand at 35th in the country in digs per set, averaging 16.83, and 47th in blocks per set, averaging 2.40. SIU also broke the top-100 in assists per set at No. 95 with 12.11. Individually, Jasmine Conner is No. 62 in the nation in blocks per set, averaging 1.15, while Rachael Brown is ranked No. 63 in assists per set with 10.43. Jennifer Berwanger also sits inside the top-100 in kills per set, at No. 79 with 3.69.
SALUKI RPI
The Southern Illinois volleyball team remains at 111 in RPI this week. Six Valley teams have cracked the top-100, including UNI which is ranked fifth, Wichita State (24th), Missouri State (35th), Creighton (41st), Drake (68th) and Illinois State (77th).
PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON MVC COACHES POLL
SIU was picked to finish sixth in the Valley in the preseason MVC Coaches poll, one spot behind where it was slated to finish a year ago. In 2009, the Salukis finished the regular season in sixth place in the MVC, falling to Wichita State, 3-1, in the opening round of the tournament. Defending champion UNI was unanimously picked to repeat this year, receiving all 10 first-place votes.
