Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
6-6, 1-0MVC
Evansville
4-9, 0-1MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | 9 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 1 |
| Southern Illinois | 25 | 25 | 17 | 25 | 3 |
Salukis win first conference match over Evansville, 3-1
09/19/2014 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. The SIU volleyball team (6-6) came away with its first conference victory of the season on Friday night as the Salukis defeated Evansville (4-9), 3-1. After a 2-0 start to the match, the Salukis fell to the Purple Aces in the third set, but were able to maintain composure in the fourth to seal the match at home.
Junior Taylor Pippen led SIU with 14 kills on 18 swings for a career-high .778 hitting efficiency, the ninth-highest hitting percentage in Saluki volleyball history. Freshman Abby Barrow followed with 13 kills, hitting .226.
"Taylor was red hot tonight," head coach Justin Ingram said. "Some of it was finding the right gaps to hit in, and others she was just being an athlete and getting up there and hitting over people. So overall, good job by her tonight."
The Salukis dominated the first set, taking an immediate lead and never relenting. SIU went on a 9-1 run to start the match, and held the Purple Aces off for the remainder of the set. Evansville lost points on 10 attack errors and six receiving errors, allowing SIU to capitalize with big point runs. The Salukis took the first frame 25-9, hitting .240 to open the match.
SIU got off to a slow start in the second set as the Purple Aces took the first point and maintained the lead to begin the frame. With the Salukis only trailing by a few points, back-to-back block assists by Pippen and freshman Nellie Fredriksson pushed SIU to tie the score, 8-8. Building off serves by sophomore Meg Viggars, SIU went on a seven-point run to take its first lead of the set. Evansville was never far behind, but SIU maintained the lead and finished 25-22.
The tables turned in the third frame, with Evansville taking a quick lead and keeping control through the end. Four consecutive block-assists by the Purple Aces pushed SIU to a timeout, down 2-7. By then, though, Evansville had the momentum rolling and shut the Salukis down. SIU came within two points due to an Evansville error, but was never able to catch the Aces, falling 25-17. Evansville finished with its highest hitting percentage of the night, .435.
"Evansville was more offensive in that third set," Ingram said. "Some of it was our block relationship, but you have to give the hitters some credit. They put it away and saw where the openings were."
The fourth frame mirrored the second, with Evansville taking an early advantage over the Salukis. A kill by Pippen propelled SIU to score five consecutive points, though, advancing SIU to a 10-8 lead that they kept for the remainder of the set. The Aces made a late run in an attempt to catch the Salukis, but SIU prevailed, closing the set and match, 25-20.
"They put some serious pressure on us, but I was glad we were able to rebound in the fourth set and score some points," Ingram said. "We had the personnel that went in there and made some things happen, so we're pretty proud of the group."
The Salukis travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. to face regional rival Southeast Missouri State on Sunday in their final non-conference match of the season. Match time is 1 p.m.
"We just need to be ready for another battle like Evansville," Ingram said. "Evansville didn't quit, they just kept going, and SEMO's going to do the same thing."
