Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Jackson State University
Saluki Volleyball set to wrap up non-conference play at A-State Invitational
09/13/2018 | 10:17:00 | Women's Volleyball
The Southern Illinois University volleyball team travels to Arkansas State to close out non-conference play with the A-State Invitational on Sept. 14-15. The Salukis open against Jackson State on Friday, Sept. 14 before taking on Arkansas State later that day at 6:30 p.m. Southern will close out the two-day tournament against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Scouting Arkansas State
Arkansas State went 21-12 a year ago and advanced to the second round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). This season, the Red Wolves are 5-5 and come into Friday's contest riding a three-match win streak. Two-time Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year Carlisa May is back for Arkansas State and she leads the Red Wolves with 158 kills (4.39 kills/set). Defensively, Arkansas State's middle hitters Timber Terrell and Madison Turner are averaging a combined 1.03 blocks per set while Tatum Ticknor leads the Red Wolves back row defense with 4.11 digs per set.Â
All-time series vs. Arkansas State
The Red Wolves hold a 10-3 series advantage over the Salukis in a matchup that dates back to 1976, including a 3-0 record at home. Arkansas State has won two-straight over SIU, and have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two programs. SIU's last win in the series came on Sept. 13, 2008- a 3-1 win in Carbondale, Ill.
Scouting Central Arkansas
The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears made their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years in 2018 and are off to an 8-2 start. The Sugar Bears are fresh off winning their home invitational last weekend. 2017 Southland Conference Player of the Year Samantha Anderson is back for Central Arkansas and currently leads the team in kills (3.26/set). Haley Tippett averaged 4.45 kills, 3.48 digs, and .45 assists per set to take home MVP honors, while Emily Doss earned All-Tournament team honors after she averaged 3.82 digs, 1.00 assists and .27 service aces.
All-time series vs. Central Arkansas
This will mark the first-ever meeting between the Salukis and the Sugar Bears. Southern holds a 7-4 all-time record against current Southland Conference opponents, with its last win over a Southland foe coming in 2015- a 3-2 win over Stephen F. Austin at the Tulsa Invitational on Sept. 11, 2015.
Scouting Jackson State
The Tigers are just 1-8 on the season and have lost eight-straight matches since their season-opening win over South Carolina State. Jackson State is coming off a 2017 campaign in which it went it also won just one non-conference match, only to turn around and go 7-11 in SWAC play.
All-time series vs. Jackson State
The Salukis and the Tigers will meet for the first time in program history. The Salukis are 1-0 all-time against SWAC opponents after a 3-0 sweep of Alabama A&M earlier this season.
Nedoma continues to shine
Maggie Nedoma has been on a tear to open the 2018 season. The sophomore opposite hitter has earned three-straight All-Tournament team nods and currently ranks third in the MVC in kills per set (3.78/set). The Brook Park, Ohio native has led the Salukis in kills in nine of SIU's 10 matches this season and her 136 total kills are the most by an underclassmen in the Valley thus far this season.
Double-Doubles
Alayna Martin leads the Salukis with five assist-dig double-doubles this season and now has 16 double-doubles for her career which is tied for the 18th-most in program history. Maggie Nedoma recorded her second career double-double with 15 kills-11 digs against No. 8 Florida.Â
Salukis take a set off top-10 opponent
The Salukis won set one over the No. 8 Florida Gators, 25-17. While the Gators rallied for a four-set win, it marked the first time that SIU has taken a set off of a top-10 team since 1990. It was also just the 15th time in school history that the Salukis have taken a set off of a top-25 ranked opponent in what was SIU's 50th all-time matchup against a ranked opponent.
Thomas serves up aces
Alison Thomas leads the Salukis with 10 aces and has recorded multiple aces in three matches this season, including a career-high four in SIU's sweep of Alabama A&M.
Lots of New Faces
Southern added 10 newcomers in the offseason, of which eight are freshman and two are transfers. The 20-person roster is the largest for the Salukis in the NCAA-era (since 1982) and their eight freshmen are the third-most in school history. Only the 2003 (11) and 2013 (9) Salukis had more first-years on their opening day rosters.Â
