Southern Illinois University
6-1,0-0MVC
Alabama A&M
1-6,0-0SWAC
Salukis Split Day One of Saluki Bash
09/08/2023 | 10:43:00 | Women's Volleyball
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois split day one of the 2023 Saluki Bash as they moved to 6-2 on the season. The Salukis swept Alabama A&M (25-12, 25-16, 25-22) to begin the tournament before getting swept themselves to Arkansas State (20-25, 24-26, 22-25) to end the day.Â
SIU hit for a season-high .338 hit in the sweep over the Bulldogs while four different Salukis totaled seven or more kills with a .350+ hitting percentage - Tatum Tornatta (9), Imani Hartfield (8), Cecilia Buhlman (8), and Annabelle Sulish (7). As a team, Southern Illinois put down 38 kills with 35 assists led by Anna Jaworksi (16) and Ema Stermenska (12).
Stermenska was also able to give the Salukis an advantage at the service line as she tallied five aces, totaling 18 now on the season to lead the Salukis.Â
The Salukis were stout defensively as well, holding Alabama A&M to a .169 hitting percentage. Cecilia Bulmahn, Imani Hartfield, and Tatum Tornatta all record solo blocks in Southern's first sweep of the season.
After a long break, the Dawgs returned to the floor at the Banterra Center for a 7pm start with Arkansas State (6-2, 0-0 Sun Belt). Despite each set being a battle, the Salukis fell in all three for just their second loss of the season.Â
Tatum Tornatta led Southern Illinois once again in kills along with fellow outside hitter Nataly Garcia as the pair each totaled 10 kills each.Â
The Salukis' offense struggled to get going against the Red Wolves defense as they were held to just a .160 hitting percentage. It was just the second time this season the Salukis have been held to a hitting percentage below .200, both matches resulting in a loss.
Cecilia Bulmahn recorded 16 digs and a pair of aces in the loss after moving over to the libero position in the second set. Bulmahn has had three matches this season now with 12 or more digs.Â
Southern Illinois returns for their third and final game of the 2023 Saluki Bash at 1:30pm tomorrow against Eastern Illinois (8-0, 0-0 OVC).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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