Friday, September 23
Murray, KY
6 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
8-5,1-0MVC
3
at
2
Murray State
4-7,0-1MVC
1
2
3
4
5
F
Southern Ill.
25
22
16
25
15
3
Murray St.
22
25
25
17
13
2
Salukis top the Racers in five to open the Valley season
09/23/2022 | 9:08:00 | Women's Volleyball
MURRAY, Ky. — Southern Illinois snapped a 31-match Missouri Valley Conference losing streak with a 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-13) win at Murray State Friday. The win was the Salukis first Valley win since Feb. 14, 2021, at Valparaiso when Southern won in five-sets during the COVID spring season.
With the win, the Salukis move to 8-5 (1-0 MVC) on the season while winning seven of their last nine matches. Southern was 0-3 (SIUE, Central Arkansas, Bellarmine) in matches that went to a fifth set before tonight but continued to battle despite going down 0-5 to begin play. In a match that went back and forth all night, including eight lead changes and 16 total ties, the Salukis continued to hang around before taking the final two sets.
After coming back to win the first set, the Salukis would drop the next two after the Racers found a groove behind freshman Ella Vogel who had a career-high 16 kills. Southern would go on to win the fourth set convincingly after jumping out to an early 5-1 lead. Having one of her most efficient nights of the season, Imani Hartfield began to heat up in the fourth set finishing the frame with five kills on all five of her attempts.
Hartfield and Tatum Tornatta led the offensive attack for SIU, each tying their season-highs of 16 kills apiece. Tatum currently leads the Salukis with 154 kills on the season as well as a team-high 3.14 kills per set. Hartfield and senior Nataly Garcia each sit with 124 kills through the team's first 13 matches.
Garcia (14) and freshman Ceci Bulmahn (10) each finished with double-digit kills as well as notching two pivotal aces each. Bulmahn tallied back-to-back aces in the first set after the Salukis found themselves in a quick five-point deficit to begin the match. The Saluki's ninth and final ace of the night came in the fifth set from Garcia extending the lead to 13-10 down the final stretch before Hartfield put the Racers away.
Just as they have all season, Southern continued to find quick points with aces. The Salukis finished the night with nine total and were led by Annabelle Sulish who had three. SIU currently leads the Valley in aces with 97.
Defensively, freshman Claudia Bobb recorded a season-high 27 digs for the Salukis as well as picking up her 11th ace of the year.
SIU heads to Nashville Saturday, Sept., 24 for another Valley matchup with the Belmont Bruins. First serve is set for 5 p.m.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Volleyball, on Instagram at @SIU_Volleyball and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiVolleyball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
With the win, the Salukis move to 8-5 (1-0 MVC) on the season while winning seven of their last nine matches. Southern was 0-3 (SIUE, Central Arkansas, Bellarmine) in matches that went to a fifth set before tonight but continued to battle despite going down 0-5 to begin play. In a match that went back and forth all night, including eight lead changes and 16 total ties, the Salukis continued to hang around before taking the final two sets.
After coming back to win the first set, the Salukis would drop the next two after the Racers found a groove behind freshman Ella Vogel who had a career-high 16 kills. Southern would go on to win the fourth set convincingly after jumping out to an early 5-1 lead. Having one of her most efficient nights of the season, Imani Hartfield began to heat up in the fourth set finishing the frame with five kills on all five of her attempts.
Hartfield and Tatum Tornatta led the offensive attack for SIU, each tying their season-highs of 16 kills apiece. Tatum currently leads the Salukis with 154 kills on the season as well as a team-high 3.14 kills per set. Hartfield and senior Nataly Garcia each sit with 124 kills through the team's first 13 matches.
Garcia (14) and freshman Ceci Bulmahn (10) each finished with double-digit kills as well as notching two pivotal aces each. Bulmahn tallied back-to-back aces in the first set after the Salukis found themselves in a quick five-point deficit to begin the match. The Saluki's ninth and final ace of the night came in the fifth set from Garcia extending the lead to 13-10 down the final stretch before Hartfield put the Racers away.
Just as they have all season, Southern continued to find quick points with aces. The Salukis finished the night with nine total and were led by Annabelle Sulish who had three. SIU currently leads the Valley in aces with 97.
Defensively, freshman Claudia Bobb recorded a season-high 27 digs for the Salukis as well as picking up her 11th ace of the year.
SIU heads to Nashville Saturday, Sept., 24 for another Valley matchup with the Belmont Bruins. First serve is set for 5 p.m.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Volleyball, on Instagram at @SIU_Volleyball and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiVolleyball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Team Stats
SIU
MUR
Kills
63
67
Errors
21
20
Attempts
189
185
Hitting %
.222
.254
Points
80
78
Assists
54
57
Aces
9
4
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
14
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
Defensive Specialist
/ Women's VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Women's VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Women's VolleyballMiddle Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Women's VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball9.22.25 | Football Highlights - at SEMO
Monday, September 22
9.21.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at SEMO - Vinson Davis
Sunday, September 21
9.21.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at SEMO - DJ Williams
Sunday, September 21
9.21.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at SEMO - Chris Presto
Sunday, September 21