Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Illinois State
Volleyball falls to Illinois State in four
11/04/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 4, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois volleyball team recorded a season high 16 blocks and had three players tally double-digit kills, but the effort wasn't enough in a 3-1 loss to Illinois State Friday night at Davies Gym.
The Salukis (9-13, 3-10 Missouri Valley Conference) fell by scores of 22-25, 26-28, 25-23, 20-25.
"I said in the locker room, we are getting really close," said SIU head coach Brenda Winkeler. "Unfortunately, that doesn't translate to wins."
Southern jumped out to an early lead to open the match, taking as much as a five-point advantage at 13-8. The Redbirds (15-10, 8-6 MVC) slowly worked their way back into the set, but SIU kept the visitors at bay until late.
SIU held the lead at 22-19, but wouldn't score again in the set as ISU scored six unanswered to take a 1-0 set lead. Three of the Redbirds' points on the final surge came via Saluki errors.
The script reversed in the second set as the Redbirds jumped out to an early lead only to have SIU climb back in. ISU led by as much as 17-11 before the Salukis mounted a 6-1 run to cut the margin to one.
Southern broke set point twice before taking the lead at 26-25. The Salukis couldn't complete the comeback, though, as Redbird LeighAnn Hranka notched three straight kills to close the set, giving ISU a 2-0 lead.
Hranka finished the night with a match-high 18 kills.
"It was a lot of tight sets again tonight," Winkeler said. "We just made some unforced errors at the wrong times."
Southern finally broke through to take the third set behind 15 kills and three service aces. SIU used a short serve to catch the Redbirds off guard for all three aces early in the set. It was a welcome change after the Salukis struggled with service errors earlier in the match.
"We cut the errors down a bit because we changed our (serving) philosophy," Winkeler said. "The one we had wasn't working."
In a back-and-forth third set that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes, Southern kept itself in the set with blocks.
"Blocking-wise, we blew the world away," Winkeler said. "That is something we've been working on."
The fourth set was another back-and-forth affair early before the Redbirds found some separation late in the set. The ISU defense came up with several big digs late in the match and Southern couldn't match it.
The only thing I am disappointed in is our defensive effort," Winkeler said. "We got out-dug 70-57. That is something we focused on in practice and it didn't translate to the match."
Southern was missing defensive specialist Caitilin Schumacher for the second consecutive match due to an injury. In her stead, Winkeler said she has had to rely on other players to play positions they aren't used to.
"We are still getting used to positions. There is a lot of pressure on people to pass," Winkeler said. "It's just adjustments, and it is too bad it is so late in the season to have to do that."
Jessica Whitehead led Southern with 16 kills while Laura Thole chipped in 14 kills and 11 digs. Alysia Mayes notched 10 kills and a career-best eight total blocks while Rachael Brown had 42 assists and 11 digs and Bailey Yeager led the defense with 19 digs.
SIU hosts Indiana State at 7 p.m. Saturday night in Davies Gym to complete the weekend series.
