Southern Illinois University
5-1,0-0MVC
Lindenwood University
4-3,0-0OVC
Salukis Take Down Lindenwood in Home Opener
09/06/2023 | 9:37:00 | Women's Volleyball
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois made its home debut with a four-set win (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 27-25) over Lindenwood on Wednesday night. The Salukis dropped the first set but would go on to win the next three to improve to 5-1 on the season.
Imani Hartfield, Nataly Garcia, and Cecilia Bulmahn led the Salukis with 10 kills a piece followed by Kelly Franklin and Tatum Tornatta with nine each for a balanced offensive attack. Garcia added 15 digs to go along with her 10 kills for her fifth double-double in just six games.Â
Imani Hartfield got the Salukis going in the right direction early in the third set with the match tied at one game a piece. Hartfield put down three kills in the first 10 points for Southern as the Dawgs would go on to win the set and go up 2-1. Hartfield hit for a season-high .714 hitting percentage to go along with her 10 kills.
Totaling 50 assists as a team, Anna Jaworski led with 24 followed by Ema Stermenska with 18. The duo of Jaworski and Stermenska have each combined for 40 or more assists in all five of SIU's victories in 2023.
Southern Illinois gave Lindenwood trouble defensively all match as the Salukis totaled a season-high 18 blocks, seven of which came at the hands of Maggie Wallenberger who made her first start of the season.Â
Wallenberger recorded one solo block to go along with six block assists to help give SIU the advantage they needed defensively. Aside from her defensive effort, the junior Wallenberger led Southern Illinois with two aces.
Claudia Bobb made the start at the libero position and finished with a match-high 20 digs (5.00 per set) to match her season best.Â
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.
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