Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Green Bay
Offense dominates in Volleyball's win over Green Bay
08/27/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
By Dana Ingraham
SIUSalukis.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Southern Illinois volleyball team made quick work of Green Bay in its opening match of the season at the University of Iowa Hawkeye Challenge, as the Salukis defeated the Phoenix 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-17) Friday afternoon.
SIU's offense was the story of the night as the team finished with a hitting percentage of .364. Green Bay had no answer for Jennifer Berwanger and Alysia Mayes who came out swinging with 10 kills apiece. Mayes had only one error in 17 attacks, setting a new career record hitting .529. Berwanger finished at an even .500 with just two errors in 16 attacks.
Seniors Jasmine Conner and Sydney Clark also had impressive showings offensively, adding a combined 12 kills, and sophomore setter Rachael Brown provided 28 assists.
"We came out with a very balanced offensive attack tonight," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "What really made our success possible was ball control - we did a great job of passing and distributing the ball."
The confidence and poise of Southern's veteran lineup showed, as the team posted nine service aces, Alicia Johnson and Lauren Blumhorst each with three. SIU also forced Green Bay into six service errors, helping to maintain momentum throughout the entirety of the match.
Berwanger led the Salukis defensively, contributing 13 digs for a double-double, while Blumhorst added six and Bailey Yeager ended with five.
"The team and I really felt comfortable going into the match because we had a great preseason and we were ready," Winkeler said. "Our ability to play defense and our aggressive serving really helped us."
This marks the fifth season in a row that the Salukis have taken the first match in the season-opening tournament. Southern will look to continue the streak tomorrow when it faces tournament host Iowa at 7 p.m.
