Volleyball takes down Indiana State in four sets

Friday, November 2

Carbondale, IL

7 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

5-21, 1-12

Indiana State University

9-17, 2-12

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Indiana State	24	22	25	22	1
Southern Illinois	26	25	23	25	3

Photo by: Madison Case

11/02/2018 | 9:46:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: By John Lock | SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team beat Indiana State 3-1 on Friday night at Davies Gym. The Salukis picked up their first win in Missouri Valley Conference play.

"One of my favorite things is when, even after struggles and adversity, they achieve what they've been trying to achieve," SIU head coach Kari Thompson said. "That helps the belief in the process. That's the big thing. See? We can do it. They know we can play volleyball. They believe in that, but now it's the belief that we can finish sets and finish the match."

The Salukis grabbed momentum with a big comeback in the first set. Trailing 20-14, Southern went on an 11-3 run to take the lead and finished it off with a Lindsey Paulsen kill for a 26-24 win. The momentum carried over into the second set, with Southern (5-21, 1-12 MVC) racking up a 9-3 lead to start the set, and extending that to 15-7. The Sycamores (9-17, 2-11 MVC) rallied all the way back to tie the set, 20-20, but the Salukis responded with five of the next seven points to take a 2-0 lead.

Southern's block was a difference all night, with the Salukis posting 14 blocks.

"Lindsey Paulson is the reason for that," Thompson said. "Moving Emma (Baalman) to the right side and getting Lindsey back and doing great things, she's inspired everyone to get blocks. Malvis (Ortiz) also did some great things on the slide for them, getting some solos out there, and (Patience Brown) was big tonight. She had some really key blocks and had an effect on one of their best players. That's a game-changer."

After a tightly-contested third set went to the Sycamores, the fourth set mirrored the second. SIU used a big run to take a 21-14 lead, but Indiana State battled back to get within striking distance. SIU held on for a 25-22 win and secured its first win in the last 15 matches.

"Progress is what we've been talking about. Continue to get better, and continue to work hard," Thompson said. "That's my feeling. Now we see it works and we can do it, and now we have that belief."