Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball continues Valley play at Bradley, UNI this weekend
09/29/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2010
By Dana Ingraham
SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): Oct. 1-2
Location: Peoria, Ill.; Cedar Falls, Iowa
Site(s): Bradley Arena (4,200); McLeod Center (6,650)
The Series: SIU leads Bradley, 33-14; SIU trails Northern Iowa, 7-44
Head Coaches: Brenda Winkeler (162-151 overall, 80-79 at SIU); Sean Burdette (23-70 overall and at BU); Bobbi Petersen (271-75 overall and at UNI)
Saluki Assistant Coaches: Julie Yankus (Associate Head Coach); Evan Hook (Assistant Coach)
Live Stats: Bradley match
Gametracker:
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 80-79 (.503) 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 CONTINUE VALLEY PLAY ON THE ROAD
SIU (9-4, 0-3 MVC) will hit the road again this weekend to face off against Bradley and No. 15 Northern Iowa. The Salukis, still in search of their first win in the Valley, will take on BU Friday at 7 p.m. and UNI Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
SCOUTING BU
The Braves entered the 2010 season with four returning starters and nine returning letterwinners. Bradley, led by Sean Burdette in his fourth season, recorded a 9-23 overall record last year, finishing 0-18 in the Valley for a 10th place finish. This season the Braves are 4-11 and 0-4 in the MVC heading into their meeting with SIU. Amy Angelos leads BU's offense with 2.80 kills per set, while Lauren Zerante heads up the defense posting 2.44 digs per set. Shelly Mueller adds 7.64 assists per set, and Megan Schmidt averages 0.78 blocks per set.
SCOUTING UNI
The Panthers entered the 2010 season with five returning starters plus their libero and nine returning letterwinners. UNI, led by Bobbi Petersen in her 11th season, recorded a 31-3 overall record last year, finishing a perfect 18-0 in the Valley for a regular season and tournament first-place finish, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Currently this season, the Panthers are ranked No. 15 in the country in the AVCA Coaches Poll with a 12-2 overall record and a 4-0 mark in the MVC. Michelle Burow leads UNI's offense with 3.20 kills per set, while MVC Defensive Player of the Week Ellie Blankenship heads up the defense posting 5.24 digs per set. Bre Payton adds 10.25 assists per set, and Krista DeGeest averages 1.24 blocks per set. As a team, Northern Iowa leads all Valley teams in overall assists per set (13.04) and kills per set (14.20).
CONFERENCE SLIDE
This is the first time that Southern Illinois has started off MVC play 0-3 under head coach Brenda Winkeler. The last time the Salukis dropped their first three Valley matches was in 2003.
NCAA RANKINGS
In the most recent NCAA national standings for matches through Sept. 26, the Salukis are ranked 21st in the country in blocks per set, averaging 2.67, and 46th in aces per set with 1.64. SIU also broke the top 100 in digs per set, jumping up to 63rd with 16.02, and hitting percentage (93rd, .223). Individually, Jasmine Conner is No. 33 in the nation in blocks per set, averaging 1.28, while Bailey Yeager stands at No. 18 in aces per set, averaging 0.5. Rachael Brown is ranked No. 64 in assists per set with 10.26.
GETTING IT DONE IN THREE
All but two of SIU's 13 matches this year have been decided in three sets. The Salukis issued eight shutouts in non-conference play to start the season, but enter this weekend looking for their first set victory in 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.
