Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball hosts SIUE Tuesday in non-conference action
09/26/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois volleyball team will step outside Missouri Valley Conference action for a non-conference matchup with SIU Edwardsville Tuesday at Davies Gym.
Tuesday, Sept. 27
SIU vs. SIU Edwardsville, 7 p.m.
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Site: Davies Gym
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TEAM FACTS
Southern Illinois Salukis (6-6, 1-3 Missouri Valley Conference)
Head Coach: Brenda Winkeler, Seventh Year (173-167 overall, 91-95 at SIU)
SIUE Cougars (7-9, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference)
Head Coach: Leah Johnson, First Year (7-9 overall and at SIUE)
SIU VS. SIU EDWARDSVILLE
Tuesday's matchup will be the first ever meeting between the Salukis and the Cougars. After starting the season 5-4, SIUE has lost five of its last seven, although the Cougars come to Carbondale off a 3-2 win over Austin Peay Saturday. Tuesday's match will be SIUE's fourth consecutive road match. The Cougars spread their offense out evenly among five attackers who have each recorded at least 123 kills thus far. Brianne Graunke leads the team with an average of 2.16 kills per set followed by Kelsey Augustine (2.11/set), Julia Whitfield (2.00/set), Cori Harris (1.95/set) and Jessica Hemann (1.94/set). Setter Sammi Minton anchors the SIUE offense with an average of 9.69 assists per set while libero Chelse Colclasure leads the defense with an average of 4.51 digs per set.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
The Salukis split their first two home Missouri Valley Conference matches of the season, topping Drake in four sets Friday night before falling to Creighton 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Davies Gym. Jessica Whitehead led the Salukis offensively in both matches, tallying 20 kills against the Bulldogs and 17 against the Bluejays. Setter Rachael Brown posted double-doubles in both matches with 48 assists and 14 digs against Drake and 49 assists and 13 digs against Creighton. Laura Thole had 15 kills against Drake before posting a double-double of 15 kills and 22 digs against the Bluejays. Bailey Yeager paced the defense with 21 digs against the Bulldogs and 17 digs against Creighton.
WHITEHEAD IS WHITE HOT
Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Whitehead has been on a tear offensively for the Salukis in her last three matches. The Murphysboro, Ill., native has averaged 19.67 kills per match over that span, with an average of 4.54 per set. Her 22 kills in a five-set loss to Bradley Sept. 19 were a season high. Her career high is 28 kills, which she reached last season against Evansville.
SALUKIS DIG IN
SIU set a season high with 93 digs Saturday in the loss to Creighton as five Salukis tallied double-digit dig totals. The match marked the third time this season SIU has had five players with double-digit dig totals. Southern has twice had four players post double-digit dig tallies this season.
