Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki volleyball signs two for the 2015 season
04/27/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki volleyball team signed two new members for the 2015 season last week, head coach Justin Ingram announced on Friday.
"Our Saluki volleyball program got better today with the addition of Tara Routliffe and Mariana Pilon," Ingram said. "Both Tara and Mariana will strengthen our serve receive and backcourt defense."
Tara Routliffe, Libero, 5'10", Caledon, Ontario (Mayfield Secondary School)
Tara Routliffe played an integral role on both her high school and club teams, serving as team captain for Mayfield and the Halton Hurricanes last season. In the 2014 season, Routliffe helped her team qualify for the Ontario provincial tournament and finish as champions in the Peel regional tournament. She was selected as the Caledon Citizen Athlete of the Week as a senior, and was awarded the Ontario Volleyball Association Award of Excellence in 2011.
Routliffe's athleticism also showed in her cross-country career, with a fourth place regional finish and a team gold medal as a freshman.
Routliffe is the daughter of Catherine MacLennan and Robert Routliffe, and she has two sisters.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Tara to our 2015 Saluki Volleyball team," Ingram said. " She is becoming a very skilled libero, learning to use her length and exceptional speed to her advantage. Tara is a terrific teammate and her upbeat, on-court personality is contagious. Tara's future on our Saluki team is bright."
Mariana Pilon, Libero/Ouside Hitter 5'10", Sao Paulo, Brazil (Colegio Campos Salles)
Mariana Pilon comes to Southern Illinois after playing two years at Salt Lake Community College. Last season Pilon led the team in digs with an impressive 4.72 digs per set, totaling 529 digs on the season. Pilon's 529 digs last season ranks second in Salt Lake CC volleyball history. Pilon helped her team finish with 24-10 record and a ninth-place finish at the NJCAA Division 1 National Volleyball Championship.
In high school, Pilon had a successful volleyball career and also competed in judo. She finished as the Sao Paulo judo champion in 2005 and 2006 and was a featured athlete in 2007.
Pilon is the daughter of Gilberto and Margaret Pilon and has one brother.
"Mariana's high volleyball IQ is something you notice immediately," Ingram said. "Her ability to process the play and anticipate what will happen next allows her to efficiently make plays."
