Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drake University
Volleyball heads to Iowa to close out 2018 road slate
11/08/2018 | 11:48:00 | Women's Volleyball
The Salukis take on Drake on Friday before tangling with Northern Iowa on Saturday.
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All-time vs. Drake
SIU holds a 43-21 advantage in the all-time series. The Bulldogs snapped a seven-match losing streak at Davies Gym in the last meeting between the two schools- a 3-0 victory on Oct. 13. The Salukis are 19-12 all-time at Drake, which included five-straight wins from 2012-16 prior to last season's 3-1 win by the Bulldogs.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have lost two straight and five of their last six matches coming into their weekend series. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top-20 nationally in two categories, including digs per set (18th; 17.56/set) and team attacks per set (5th, 39.69). The Bulldogs are the only MVC team to have seven hitters with at least 100 kills, led by Cathryn Cheek. Cheek is averaging 3.69 kills per set.
All-time vs. UNI
The Panthers hold a commanding 56-13 lead over the Salukis in an all-time series that dates back to 1982. Northern Iowa won the most recent meeting between the two schools, a 3-1 victory at Davies Gym on Oct. 12. The Panthers have faired even better against the Salukis on their home floor- as they hold a 30-3 record in matches played at Cedar Falls with Southern's last win at UNI coming in 2013- which was its first since 1985.
Scouting the Panthers
UNI is coming off its first loss in conference play - a five-set defeat at the hands of Illinois State on Nov. 3. The Panthers are ranked in the top-10 nationally in both assists per set (4th, 13.86/set) and kills per set (6th, 14.70/set). Karlie Thomas ranks eighth nationally in kills per set (4.68) while Rachel Koop's 11.6 assists per set are ranked ninth nationally as well.
Block Party
The Salukis recorded a season-high 14 blocks in their four-set win over Indiana State Friday night, which were their most in a Missouri Valley Conference match since Oct. 27, 2017 at Indiana State when Southern also recorded 14. Southern's 14 blocks are the second-most in a four-set match by a Missouri Valley Conference team this season and it marked the 14th time in Coach Thompson's two seasons at the helm that the Salukis have tallied double-digit blocks.
No Holes
The Saluki defense was exceptional against Indiana State, as Southern recorded 83 digs and held the Sycamores to a .124 hitting percentage- the lowest it has held a MVC opponent this season. It was the lowest that SIU has held an MVC opponent in more than a year, when Southern held Bradley to a .117 hitting efficiency on Sept. 22, 2017.
Setting up the offense
Alayna Martin played an integral role in Southern's four-set win over Indiana State that snapped a 14-match losing streak for the Salukis. The junior setter recorded her fourth-straight assist-dig double-double with 42 assists and 13 digs which marked her 13th double-double of the season and 28th of her career. It was also just the fourth time in her career that she has dished out 40-plus assists. Martin just missed her fifth-straight double-double the following night against Evansville, as she finished with 19 assists and eight digs.
Closing the Block
Emma Baalman's move to the right side freed up more playing time for middle hitter Lindsey Paulsen, who has flourished at the position as of late. She set career-bests with 12 kills and nine total blocks against Missouri State on Oct. 27 and followed with 10 kills and five blocks in SIU's 3-1 win over Indiana State. Over the past four matches, Paulsen is leading the team in both kills (2.50/set) and blocks (1.79/set) while hitting at a .391 clip.Â
Most Blocks in a four-setter
Lindsey Paulsen's nine blocks in SIU's four-set match against Missouri State on Oct. 27 are the most in a four-set Missouri Valley Conference match this season. Paulsen's nine blocks broke a five-way tie that including Patience Brown's eight blocks against CSUN (Sept. 7) for most blocks in a four-set match this season and are tied for the third-most in a match of any length in the Valley this season.
Reached the century mark
With her three assists against Drake on Oct. 13, Marissa Rossi dished out her 100th assist of the season. It marks the third-straight season in which the Salukis have had a freshman dish out at least 100 assists and just the 10th time in school history (dating back to 1980) that a first-year has reached the century mark in assists.
Freshman Contributing
Kat Wagner has been one of SIU's most consistent passers in the back row this season and has tallied 199 digs, the second-most on the team. She is just the 25th Saluki to record 150-plus digs as a freshman (since 1980) and with her next dig she can become the 20th Saluki freshman to reach 200 digs.Â
Academic Culture
SIU head coach Kari Thompson has instilled a culture that promotes success both on and off the court and it has been evident in the continued academic success of the program. Southern posted a 3.41 grade point average during her first season to garner an AVCA Team Academic Award and placed eight on the MVC Honor Roll.
