Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Three Salukis earn MVC All-Conference recognition
11/27/2014 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Three Saluki volleyball players earned All-Conference honors at the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon.
Junior Taylor Pippen was named First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive year. Sophomore Meg Viggars earned Second Team All-Conference recognition, and Andrea Estrada was named to the All-Freshman team.
Taylor Pippen has earned All-Conference honors each season, with All-Freshman recognition in 2012 and First Team All-Conference in 2013.
Pippen has led the MVC all season with her record-breaking .413 hitting efficiency. She ranks No. 1 in Saluki volleyball history and fourth in Missouri Valley history for hitting percentage in a single season, and ranks 12th in the nation for highest hitting efficiency. She also leads SIU in total blocks and solo blocks, with 106 and eight, respectively.
Second Team All-Conference selection Meg Viggars has come out as one of the most versatile players for SIU and the Valley this season, averaging 2.03 kills, 4.73 assists, 2.11 digs and 0.75 blocks per set. This season alone, Viggars has come away with triple-doubles in victories over Northern Iowa, Indiana State and SEMO. This marks the second season she's come away with All-Conference honors after being named to the All-Freshman team last year.
Estrada made a name for herself early in the season with her powerful attacks and kills. In her debut season Estrada has started every match and played each set. She averages 2.87 kills, 2.43 digs and 0.40 blocks per set.
No. 5 Southern Illinois will take on No. 4 Missouri State at 5 p.m. at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The match can be viewed on ESPN3.com.
