Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball slated for single match at Evansville this weekend
09/22/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 22, 2010
By Dana Ingraham
SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 25 - 7 p.m.
Location: Evansville, Ind.
Site: Carson Center (500)
The Series: SIU leads Evansville, 31-9
Head Coaches: Brenda Winkeler (162-150 overall, 80-78 at SIU); Mike Swan (483-362 overall, 96-132 at UE)
Saluki Assistant Coaches: Julie Yankus (Associate Head Coach); Evan Hook (Assistant Coach)
Video Streaming: click here
Live Stats: click here
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 80-78 (.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 TRAVEL TO EVANSVILLE
SIU (9-3, 0-2 MVC) will hit the road this weekend for a single match with its travel partner, Evansville. The Salukis, looking to pick up their first win in the Valley, will face off against the Purple Aces on Saturday at 7 p.m.
SCOUTING UE
The Purple Aces entered the 2010 season with five returning starters and eight returning letterwinners. Evansville, led by Mike Swan in his ninth season, recorded a 14-16 overall record last year, finishing 7-11 in the Valley for a seventh place finish. This season the Purple Aces are 12-2 and 1-1 in the MVC heading into their meeting with SIU, most recently defeating UIC in three sets Tuesday night. Evansville's one win in the Valley so far was a significant one, spoiling Drake's 14-match unbeaten streak. Emily Wandersee leads UE's offense with 3.84 kills per set, while Katie Klages heads up the defense posting 3.71 digs per set. Ellen Sawin leads the Valley overall with 10.59 assists per set, and Wandersee also averages 1.11 blocks per set. As a team, Evansville leads all Valley teams in overall hitting percentage (.249) and kills per set (13.95).
MOVIN' ON UP
Jennifer Berwanger's 64 attempts in Southern's first two conference matches moved her into the fourth slot all-time in the SIU record books for career attempts, bringing her total to 3329. Her 133 kills so far this season also entered her into the career kills category, currently standing in seventh with 1149.
NCAA RANKINGS
In the most recent NCAA national standings for matches through Sept. 19, the Salukis are ranked 16th in the country in blocks per set, averaging 2.77, and 31st in aces per set with 1.74. SIU also broke the top 100 in digs per set (79th, 15.69) and hitting percentage (88th, .227). Individually, Jasmine Conner is No. 21 in the nation in blocks per set, averaging 1.35, while Bailey Yeager stands at No. 22 in aces per set, averaging 0.54.
STEPPING UP IN THE VALLEY
Despite starting off slow in MVC play, SIU is part of one of the strongest Division I conferences in the country. Valley teams have combined for an impressive 83-27 (.755) non-conference record so far, and seven of the 10 MVC teams (including Southern) hold three or fewer losses this season. Head Coach Brenda Winkeler noted that SIU must shift its mindset, starting with Evansville, to break tradition and rise to the top of the Valley.
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.
