Friday, October 17
Peoria, IL
6 PM
Southern Illinois University
9-12,3-4MVC
3
at
2
Bradley
8-11,2-5MVC
1
2
3
4
5
F
Southern Ill.
22
22
25
25
15
3
Bradley
25
25
19
23
12
2
Eva Krakowski
Photo by: Jordan Kruse
Southern stuns Bradley with reverse sweep behind Swansiger's career day
10/17/2025 | 11:26:00 | Women's Volleyball
PEORIA, Ill. - Ella Swansiger tallied a career-high 20 kills as Southern Illinois Women's Volleyball completed a furious comeback by reverse sweeping Bradley Friday night in Peoria. The win was Southern's first reverse-sweep of the season, and its first since Sept. 10, 2024.
"I'm really proud of this group — being down two sets is a tough place for any team to be in, and to come back and reverse sweep a team on the road is a big deal," Brittany Harry said.
Bradley built up a lead early in set one, and while Southern fought back, it could not take a lead as the Braves took a 1-0 match lead, winning the set 25-22.
Swansiger combined with Kelly Franklin for 11 kills in set two, but Bradley would best SIU once again after Grace Furlong ended the set with back-to-back kills. The duo was effective all night long.
"Ella and Kelly on the right side attack were pretty unstoppable," Harry said. "Ella led our team in scoring tonight and hit her career-high with 20 kills. She stepped up big time for us, and that is exactly what this team needs — kids going out on that court and playing for their teammates and playing to win.
With their backs against the wall, Southern came out with a vengeance in set three. The Salukis led by as much as nine, beginning the set with an 11-2 run aided by two aces from Cecilia Bulmahn. A late 5-0 run was too little too late for Bradley, who would need at least one more set to put SIU away.
The Braves were in a prime position, leading 22-18 in set four. Southern made winning plays to close the set with two blocks and an ace from Annabelle Sulish. The Salukis forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win.
The teams went back and forth to begin set five, and Southern Illinois led 8-7 as the teams switched sides. The Salukis stayed in front, and their leader all season long, Kelly Franklin, punctuated the comeback with the final kill of the night to steal a 3-2 match victory.
Harry praised her team's balance in the win.
"Just an all-around team effort, and that is when our team thrives."
Swansiger was not the only Saluki who set a career-high as junior libero Jillian Shaneyfelt collected 28 digs.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will look to complete its weekend set 2-0 with a trip to Illinois State Saturday night in Normal, Ill.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X (@SIU_Volleyball), Instagram (@SIU_Volleyball) and Facebook (SalukiVolleyball). Fans can also download the Salukis Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
"I'm really proud of this group — being down two sets is a tough place for any team to be in, and to come back and reverse sweep a team on the road is a big deal," Brittany Harry said.
Bradley built up a lead early in set one, and while Southern fought back, it could not take a lead as the Braves took a 1-0 match lead, winning the set 25-22.
Swansiger combined with Kelly Franklin for 11 kills in set two, but Bradley would best SIU once again after Grace Furlong ended the set with back-to-back kills. The duo was effective all night long.
"Ella and Kelly on the right side attack were pretty unstoppable," Harry said. "Ella led our team in scoring tonight and hit her career-high with 20 kills. She stepped up big time for us, and that is exactly what this team needs — kids going out on that court and playing for their teammates and playing to win.
With their backs against the wall, Southern came out with a vengeance in set three. The Salukis led by as much as nine, beginning the set with an 11-2 run aided by two aces from Cecilia Bulmahn. A late 5-0 run was too little too late for Bradley, who would need at least one more set to put SIU away.
The Braves were in a prime position, leading 22-18 in set four. Southern made winning plays to close the set with two blocks and an ace from Annabelle Sulish. The Salukis forced a fifth set with a 25-23 win.
The teams went back and forth to begin set five, and Southern Illinois led 8-7 as the teams switched sides. The Salukis stayed in front, and their leader all season long, Kelly Franklin, punctuated the comeback with the final kill of the night to steal a 3-2 match victory.
Harry praised her team's balance in the win.
"Just an all-around team effort, and that is when our team thrives."
Swansiger was not the only Saluki who set a career-high as junior libero Jillian Shaneyfelt collected 28 digs.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will look to complete its weekend set 2-0 with a trip to Illinois State Saturday night in Normal, Ill.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X (@SIU_Volleyball), Instagram (@SIU_Volleyball) and Facebook (SalukiVolleyball). Fans can also download the Salukis Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Team Stats
SIU
BRAD
Kills
66
63
Errors
19
23
Attempts
182
187
Hitting %
.258
.214
Points
81.0
72.0
Assists
62
58
Aces
7
4
Blocks
8
5
Game Leaders
Kills
20
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
8
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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