Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball hosts Missouri State Friday, Wichita State Saturday
10/12/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 12, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois volleyball team closes the first half of Missouri Valley Conference play Friday and Saturday against Missouri State and Wichita State at Davies Gym.
Friday, October 14
SIU vs. Missouri State, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 15
SIU vs. Wichita State, 7 p.m.
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Site: Davies Gym
Match Notes
Live Stats
Live Video (pay)
TEAM FACTS
Southern Illinois Salukis (9-7, 3-4 MVC)
Head Coach: Brenda Winkeler, Seventh Year (176-168 overall, 94-96 at SIU)
Missouri State Bears (13-5, 6-1 MVC)
Head Coach: Melissa Stokes, 16th Year (348-160 overall and at MSU)
Wichita State Shockers (11-6, 5-2 MVC)
Head Coach: Chris Lamb, 12th Year (251-107 overall and at WSU)
SIU VS. MISSOURI STATE
Southern trails the all-time series between the two teams 15-36 and the Salukis have only topped the Bears once in the last six seasons. MSU stands second in the MVC standings entering the weekend, having only dropped one conference match to league-leader Northern Iowa. The Bears, who rank second in the MVC with an average of 13.92 kills per set, present a balanced attack as four players average 2.45 kills per set or more and four other players figure for at least one kill per set. Junior outside hitter Karen Rivatto leads MSU with an average of 2.98 kills per set while sophomore outside hitter Christine McCartney is close behind at 2.86 per set and senior middle blocker Calli Norman is the Bears' third top attacker with an average of 2.45 kills per set. The MSU offense is anchored by the league's top setter, sophomore Carly Thomas, who averages 11.19 assists per set. The Bears defense is led by sophomore libero Ashley Mason, who ranks third in the MVC with an average of 4.62 digs per set. Norman is one of the Valley's top blockers, ranking third in the conference with an average of 1.14 blocks per set.
SIU VS. WICHITA STATE
SIU trails its all-time series with WSU 18-31 and the Shockers have won the last 18 meetings between the two schools. SIU's last win over WSU was a four-set win in Wichita during the 2002 season. The Shockers enter the weekend on a three-match winning streak, standing third in the MVC standings. WSU boasts the top hitting percentage in the MVC at .262 for the season, and four Shockers average two or more kills per set. Junior outside hitter Emily Adney leads the Shocker offense with an average of 3.15 kills per set followed by senior outside hitter Camri Zwiester (2.75/set), sophomore middle Elizabeth Field (2.00/set) and sophomore outside Sam Sanders (2.00/set). Senior Mary Elizabeth Hooper handles the setting duties for WSU, averaging 9.48 assists per set while senior libero Sarah Waldorf leads the defense and ranks second in the Valley with an average of 4.81 digs per set.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
Southern split a pair of matches on the road, topping Indiana State in four sets before falling in four sets at Illinois State. Jessica Whitehead was SIU's top attacker in both matches, finishing with 21 kills against the Sycamores before tallying 17 against the Redbirds. Alysia Mayes added 13 kills for SIU against Indiana State and 15 against Illinois State while Laura Thole had a double-double with 16 kills and 14 digs against the Redbirds. Setter Rachael Brown posted 43 assists in both matches, but had a double-double against Illinois State with a career-high 23 digs. Libero Bailey Yeager had 14 digs against the Sycamores and 18 against the Redbirds.
