Southern Illinois University
2-6,1-5MVC
Valparaiso University
3-4,2-4MVC
Salukis fall in four sets at Valpo
02/15/2021 | 6:05:00 | Women's Volleyball
The Southern Illinois University volleyball team fell in four sets at Valparaiso (25-22, 19-25, 19-25, 15-25) Monday evening inside the ARC.
The Salukis led from start to finish in their 25-22 set one win. Southern scored four of the first five points and pushed its lead to six, 15-9 at the midway point. Valpo scored six of the next seven to get to within one, 16-15, but SIU scored three-straight and never looked back. Southern held Valpo to a .000 hitting percentage in the first frame. The Brown and Gold returned the favor in the second set, as it got out to a 3-0 start and never trailed in its 25-19 win.
Valparaiso scored four of the first five points of set three. Southern got to within one, 7-6, but Valpo scored five of the next six to push its lead to five, 12-7. SIU later cut its deficit down to three, 13-10 but Valpo again grew its lead back to six. The Salukis had one more run in them, getting to within one, 18-17, but Valpo was able to hold on and take the third set, 25-19.
Southern scored three of the first four points in set four. SIU's lead grew to three, 10-7 but the Brown and Gold scored thirteen of the next fourteen points to open up a 20-11 lead that proved to be insurmountable.
The Salukis, at times, were their own worst enemy Monday night. SIU missed 12 serves and finished with 22 attack errors in four sets.Â
SIU was once again led by Hannah Becker, who finished with a team-high 12 kills. It marked the second-straight match, and the fourth time in her last five matches, that the Polk City, Iowa native has put down double-digit kills. Tatum Tornatta added eight kills, while Emma Baalman and Imani Hartfield chipped in seven kills apiece.Â
Defensively, Southern was led by Rachel Maguire, who tallied three kills, 33 assists and 15 digs. Katy Kluge added 15 digs and four assists while MacKenzie Houser dug out 13 balls.
SIU returns to Davies Gym on Sunday, Feb. 21 to host the UNI Panthers. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
