Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball set to host 32nd Saluki Invitational
09/07/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois volleyball team will host the 32nd Saluki Invitational presented by Hampton Inn Friday and Saturday at SIU Arena, welcoming Murray State, Green Bay and Memphis to Carbondale.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Friday, Sept. 9
Memphis vs. Green Bay, 5 p.m.
SIU vs. Murray State, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Murray State vs. Memphis, 10:30 a.m.
SIU vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Murray State vs. Green Bay, 5 p.m.
SIU vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Site: SIU Arena
Match Notes
Tournament Central
TEAM FACTS
Southern Illinois Salukis (3-2)
Head Coach: Brenda Winkeler, Seventh Year (170-163 overall, 88-91 at SIU)
Murray State Racers (0-8)
Head Coach: David Schwepker, 14th Year (193-269 overall, 180-192 at MSU)
Green Bay Phoenix (2-5)
Head Coach: Debbie Kirch, 15th Year (150-279 overall and at Green Bay)
Memphis Tigers (5-2)
Head Coach: April Jauregui, Fourth Year (40-54 overall and at Memphis)
VOLLEYBALL RETURNS TO SIU ARENA
The Saluki Invitational will mark the first volleyball matches played in SIU Arena since 1982 and will have the distinction of being the first Saluki Invitational played in the facility. SIU's last recorded volleyball match at SIU Arena was a 3-1 win over Illinois on September 5, 1982. The Arena housed select volleyball matches in the years prior, including serving as site of the AIAW Division I National Championship and an exhibition match between Team USA and Japan in 1979. The Saluki Invite will also mark the first volleyball at the Arena since its 2010 renovation. The 2011 team will be the first Saluki volleyball squad to be introduced on the Arena video board.
SALUKIS STRONG AT INVITATIONAL
Southern Illinois has a strong history in its home tournament, having won the tournament 11 times, including the last four. The Salukis have won the tournament four consecutive years on two separate occasions. A win this year would mark the first five-year title streak for SIU in the Invite.
SIU VS. MURRAY STATE
SIU leads the all-time series with Murray State 13-2, and the Salukis enter Friday's matchup on a four-match win streak against the Racers. In their last meeting, SIU won in five sets during the 2009 Saluki Invitational. Murray State comes to Carbondale looking to pick up its first win of the season. The Racers have won just two sets through their first eight matches. Teresa Krog leads the MSU offense with an average of 3.23 kills per set while Wendi Zickfield averages 2.46 kills per set. The Racers libero duo of Lia Havili and Molly Goodrich average 7.80 and 7.08 assists per set respectively while Kayleah Sauer leads the team with an average of 3.88 digs per set.
SIU VS. GREEN BAY
SIU is undefeated with a 5-0 record all-time against Green Bay. The Salukis swept the Phoenix to open the 2010 season at the Iowa Tournament. Green Bay enters the Saluki Invitational on a two-match losing streak after going 1-2 at the North Dakota Invitational last weekend. Carmen Leitermann leads five Phoenix averaging at least two kills per set at 2.61 while Abbey Gitter is right behind with an average of 2.58 per set. Setter Leah Poel figures for 10.07 assists per set while libero Brittany Groth leads the team with an average of 4.61 digs per set and Kelly Mischler averages 0.71 blocks per set.
SIU VS. MEMPHIS
The Salukis renew an old rivalry with Memphis, having not faced the Tigers since 1995. SIU leads the all-time series 12-5, but lost that 1995 matchup in five sets. Memphis comes to Carbondale on a two-match losing streak after opening its season 5-0. The Tigers offense is led by Altrese Hawkins, who is perhaps the best player the Salukis have faced thus far. A preseason All-Conference USA selection, Hawkins averages 4.11 kills per set with a .335 hitting percentage. Marija Jovanovic is second on the team with an average of 3.71 kills per set while setter Hajnalka Molnar averages12.52 assists per set. Libero Aleksandra Petronijevic leads the team with an average of 4.19 digs per set while Lauren Hawkins averages 0.74 blocks per set.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
SIU split its two matches at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic, losing to William & Mary 3-2 before rebounding to sweep host Tulane in New Orleans. The Salukis were named co-champions of the tournament along with San Diego State by virtue of losing the fewest sets. The tournament was shortened because of the threat of severe weather stemming from Tropical Storm Lee. Saluki junior Laura Thole was named the tournament MVP and Alysia Mayes was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
PLAYER NOTES
Junior Laura Thole was named MVP of Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate classic last week after posting 31 kills and 20 digs in the tournament. She ranks eighth in the MVC with an average of 3.33 kills per set • Senior Alysia Mayes earned All-Tournament honors at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic. She posted a career-best hitting percentage of .636 last week at Tulane and tied a career best with seven total blocks against William & Mary. Mayes ranks fourth in the MVC with an average of 1.19 blocks per set and ninth in hitting percentage at .343 • Sophomore Caitlin Schumacher posted a career-best 19 digs and six assists last week against William & Mary. She leads the MVC with 12 aces (0.57/set) • Sophomore Jessica Whitehead leads the team and ranks fifth in the MVC with an average of 3.38 kills per set. She posted a career-best four digs last week at Tulane • Rachael Brown sits sixth in SIU history in career assists with 2,430. She has moved up two places on the list since the start of the season. Brown ranks seventh in the MVC through two weeks with an average of 9.57 assists per set. She tied a career best with five kills last Saturday at Tulane • Alexis Braghini recorded a career-best five kills last week against William & Mary • Senior Amanda Arnold recorded a career-best three kills, 17 attempts and three digs last week against William & Mary • Sophomore Emily Less posted a career-best two digs and three blocks last week against William & Mary • Freshman Sarah James recorded a career-best 2 kills, 4 attempts and 2 blocks last week against William & Mary.
