Southern Illinois University
Alabama A&M
Salukis sweep Bulldogs to open home invitational
09/16/2022 | 1:38:00 | Women's Volleyball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University volleyball team swept the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in three sets (25-12, 25-19, 25-14) Friday to open play at the Saluki Invitational.
The Salukis, winners of five of their last six and six of their last eight matches, used a 14-2 run to close out the first set in dominant fashion. In the second set, SIU scored five-straight points to break a 3-all tie and never let Alabama A&M get closer than to within three after that. Alabama A&M scored the first point of the third set but it was all SIU after that. The Salukis ripped off five of the next six points in the frame to build a lead that they never surrendered. The Salukis hit .363 in the win, which is their second-best hitting percentage this season and the third time already that Southern has hit over .300 in a match.
SIU had good distribution offensively, as 10 different Salukis recorded at least one kill and five hitters put down five or more kills. Kelly Franklin shined in the win. The Lake Worth, Fla. native hit .615 with a career-high nine kills and added three digs and two aces. Tatum Tornatta hit at a.467 clip with eight kills on an efficient 15 swings while Brinley Burdette and Nsia Gittens each added six kills. Anna Jaworski dished out 41 assists and tallied five digs while Claudia Bobb dug out eight balls to lead SIU defensively.
Southern also served aggressively in the victory. SIU, who came in ranked second in the Valley in aces, served up nine aces in the win over the Bulldogs. Bailey Neuberger led the way with three aces while Ceci Bulmahn and Kelly Franklin each had two.
Career Highs
Brinley Burdette put down a career-best six kills.
Kelly Franklin played extensively for the first time in her Saluki career and set or tied career bests in kills (9), attempts (13), aces (2), and digs (3).
Notable Numbers
.363 | The Salukis hit .363 in the win over the Bulldogs, their second-best hitting percentage of the season. SIU has hit over .200 in eight of its 10 matches, which includes three matches in which it has hit over .300.
.097 | SIU held Alabama A&M to a .097 hitting percentage, marking the second time this season that Southern has held an opponent below .100.
6 | Six wins for the Salukis, their most in a season since 2019. All six wins have come in three sets.
5 | Five different Salukis served at least one ace in the win.
Up Next
The Salukis are back in action at 7 p.m. tonight against SEMO. The match will be televised on ESPN+.
