SIU Volleyball falls to Wichita State

Friday, November 18

Carbondale, Ill.

7:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

21-10, 12-5MVC

Wichita State

21-7, 14-3MVC

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Wichita State	25	25	25	3
Southern Illinois	15	14	18	0

Photo by: Tom Weber

11/18/2016 | 11:11:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Will Becque, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois volleyball team fell to Wichita State, 3-0 (15-25, 14-25, 18-25), Friday evening at Davies Gym. The Salukis fall to 21-10 overall and 12-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play with the loss.

The Shockers (21-7, 14-3 MVC) posted a 70% sideout percentage for the match, including siding out on 13 of SIU's 15 serves in the opening set. The Salukis, on the other hand, struggled passing the ball all night, making it difficult to remain in system. SIU sided out on 44% of Wichita State's serves, allowing the Shockers to keep serve and score in bunches.

"The disappointing thing is we practiced something all week and we didn't do it," Ingram said. "And when the struggles happen because the things that you work on didn't happen, some discouragement, some doubt, some bad mojo, can certainly ruin the party. And that's what it looked like out there tonight."

Kolby Meeks led the Salukis in kills against Wichita State, putting down eight kills on 12 swings for a .583 hitting percentage.

"Kolby was good," fifth-year head coach Justin Ingram said. "She put up a good night for us. She didn't get a lot of block assists, but she hit for a high efficiency. We're hopeful she can carry a bigger load tomorrow and that others can also pick it up."

Ginger Perinar recorded six kills and eight digs, and Andrea Estrada chipped in five kills and seven digs. Hannah Kaminsky dished out 16 assists and added seven digs, while Shannon Hagen had five kills and a pair of service aces.

The Salukis were playing without the services of three opening day starters, as two-time All-MVC selection Meg Viggars, Alex Rosignol and Abby Barrow were unable to play Friday night.

"Three starters that play giant roles within the team, arguably the team's three best players this season," Ingram remarked. "The expectation is for others to step up and they didn't tonight."

The Salukis were sluggish out of the gate, as the Shockers broke a 2-2 tie and never looked back to take the opening frame, 25-14.

SIU took its first lead of the match early in the second set, getting out to a 3-1 lead. That lead grew to 7-3 when Pilon served four straight points. Wichita State got to within one (7-6) after a 3-0 spurt, but a kill by Dorris gave SIU an 8-6 lead. The Shockers capitalized on a SIU service error and seized momentum, opening up a 10-8 advantage, and went on to take set two, 25-15.

The third set saw the Salukis return to a five-one, with Kaminsky setting all the way around. The Woodridge, Ill. native's first of two kills during the set knotted the score at 8-8, and on the next play she set Perinar to put SIU ahead, 9-8. The Salukis maintained their one-point lead after a kill by Meeks from Kaminsky, but Wichita State ripped off a 5-0 run to take control of the set and the match.

The Salukis are back in action tomorrow when they host the Missouri State Bears. First serve is set for 7 p.m., with the Salukis honoring its six seniors following the match. In addition, all fans can get a $2 ticket to Saturday's match by presenting their ticket stub from Saturday's SIU football game.