This Week in Saluki Athletics: October 20-26
10/20/2025 | 2:01:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Coming out of Fall Break, Southern Illinois athletics were as busy as ever. Soccer, volleyball, and football continued the conference portion of their schedules while men's and women's golf took one step closer to ending their fall seasons. Meanwhile, cross country concluded their regular season and swim and dive earned another weekly award.
Soccer (9-3-3, 3-2-1)
Soccer was handed their first draw in Missouri Valley Conference play on Sunday when they tied 1-1 to Valparaiso. Sophia Schlicklin scored SIU's lone goal and Nao Katamoto provided the assist.
It was also Senior Day for the Salukis on Sunday, who honored Avery Burleson and Olivia Anderson prior to the game for their time and dedication to the program.
Two games await soccer this week. On Thursday, Oct. 23, Indiana State visits Carbondale for a 5 p.m. game. This will be SIU's final home game of the regular season and is also the Homecoming game and Breast Cancer Awareness Night/Pinkout. The Salukis then hit the road on Sunday, Oct. 26, and travel to UNI for a 1 p.m. match.
Volleyball (10-12, 4-4)
Volleyball grabbed a pair of conference wins this past week to claw back to .500 in conference play.
But before their conference matches, the Salukis traveled to SEMO on Tuesday night and fell 3-1. Annabelle Sulish and Kelly Franklin were both in double-digit kills with 14 and 13, and Emma Lade dished out a game-high 27 assists. Larissa Seger had a great all-around game, serving up five service aces while putting up six blocks.
Southern returned to MVC play on Friday, pulling off a thrilling reverse sweep, 3-2 win over Bradley. Ella Swansiger reached 20 kills for the Salukis, and Lade compiled another 34 assists. Defensively, Jillian Shaneyfelt had 28 digs while Seger had another four blocks at the net.
Saturday against Illinois State was a much simpler affair for the Salukis as they swept the Redbirds 3-0. Sulish was the only Saluki to hit double-digit kills with 14, while Lade had 16 assists and Shaneyfelt 17 digs.
Two more conference games await SIU this weekend. On Friday, Oct. 24, they travel to UIC for a 6 p.m. showdown. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 25, they visit Valparaiso at 6 p.m.
Football (4-3, 1-2)
Football had another tough test this past weekend, taking on and losing to #9/#11 North Dakota 38-19. DJ Williams threw for 258 yards and touchdown while also adding a score on the ground. Chandler Chapman was the lead rusher for SIU, gaining 68 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Fabian McCray was just three yards short of a 100-yard receiving game. On the defensive end, Shug Walker recorded 1.5 sacks.
The Salukis now prepare for the Homecoming game against UNI on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Men's Golf
The Salukis saw action at the Purdue Fall Invitational last week and came in seventh as a team. Anthony De Schutter was the big winner of the weekend, finishing six-under-par (210) to claim the title and eventually win MVC Golfer of the Week.
Southern now prepares for their final competition of the fall. On October 27, they travel to Hawaii for the two-day Kaanapali Classic.
Women's Golf
Women's golf earned a 16th-place finish at the Lady Red Wolves Classic last week. Kayla Sayyalinh was the highest finisher for the Salukis, tying for 28th with a score of 219 (+3).
The squad now competes in the Powercat Invitational for their final fall competition. They are there today, Oct. 20, and tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Cross Country
Cross country closed out the regular season last week at the Angel Mounds Invitational.
The men's team finished 10th. Ben Chance was the lead runner for SIU, taking 29th place with a time of 24:59.37. Will Foltz and Weston Jokerst also finished in the top-50. On the women's side, the team took home 15th as Hannah Meiser led the pack with her 22:16.83 run for 31st place.
Next up are the MVC Championships in Evansville on October 31.
Swim and Dive
While the team was not in competition, swim and dive did earn another weekly award as Olivia Herron was named the MVC Women's Swimmer of the Week. The prior weekend, Herron collected six win between meets against UIC and Northwester/Miami (OH). Herron also found her way into the top-16 nationally for the 100- and 200-breaststroke and 200-yard IM.
The Saluki women are back in the pool this weekend for a two-day meet against Illinois and Illinois State on Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Soccer (9-3-3, 3-2-1)
Soccer was handed their first draw in Missouri Valley Conference play on Sunday when they tied 1-1 to Valparaiso. Sophia Schlicklin scored SIU's lone goal and Nao Katamoto provided the assist.
It was also Senior Day for the Salukis on Sunday, who honored Avery Burleson and Olivia Anderson prior to the game for their time and dedication to the program.
Two games await soccer this week. On Thursday, Oct. 23, Indiana State visits Carbondale for a 5 p.m. game. This will be SIU's final home game of the regular season and is also the Homecoming game and Breast Cancer Awareness Night/Pinkout. The Salukis then hit the road on Sunday, Oct. 26, and travel to UNI for a 1 p.m. match.
Volleyball (10-12, 4-4)
Volleyball grabbed a pair of conference wins this past week to claw back to .500 in conference play.
But before their conference matches, the Salukis traveled to SEMO on Tuesday night and fell 3-1. Annabelle Sulish and Kelly Franklin were both in double-digit kills with 14 and 13, and Emma Lade dished out a game-high 27 assists. Larissa Seger had a great all-around game, serving up five service aces while putting up six blocks.
Southern returned to MVC play on Friday, pulling off a thrilling reverse sweep, 3-2 win over Bradley. Ella Swansiger reached 20 kills for the Salukis, and Lade compiled another 34 assists. Defensively, Jillian Shaneyfelt had 28 digs while Seger had another four blocks at the net.
Saturday against Illinois State was a much simpler affair for the Salukis as they swept the Redbirds 3-0. Sulish was the only Saluki to hit double-digit kills with 14, while Lade had 16 assists and Shaneyfelt 17 digs.
Two more conference games await SIU this weekend. On Friday, Oct. 24, they travel to UIC for a 6 p.m. showdown. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 25, they visit Valparaiso at 6 p.m.
Football (4-3, 1-2)
Football had another tough test this past weekend, taking on and losing to #9/#11 North Dakota 38-19. DJ Williams threw for 258 yards and touchdown while also adding a score on the ground. Chandler Chapman was the lead rusher for SIU, gaining 68 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Fabian McCray was just three yards short of a 100-yard receiving game. On the defensive end, Shug Walker recorded 1.5 sacks.
The Salukis now prepare for the Homecoming game against UNI on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Men's Golf
The Salukis saw action at the Purdue Fall Invitational last week and came in seventh as a team. Anthony De Schutter was the big winner of the weekend, finishing six-under-par (210) to claim the title and eventually win MVC Golfer of the Week.
Southern now prepares for their final competition of the fall. On October 27, they travel to Hawaii for the two-day Kaanapali Classic.
Women's Golf
Women's golf earned a 16th-place finish at the Lady Red Wolves Classic last week. Kayla Sayyalinh was the highest finisher for the Salukis, tying for 28th with a score of 219 (+3).
The squad now competes in the Powercat Invitational for their final fall competition. They are there today, Oct. 20, and tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Cross Country
Cross country closed out the regular season last week at the Angel Mounds Invitational.
The men's team finished 10th. Ben Chance was the lead runner for SIU, taking 29th place with a time of 24:59.37. Will Foltz and Weston Jokerst also finished in the top-50. On the women's side, the team took home 15th as Hannah Meiser led the pack with her 22:16.83 run for 31st place.
Next up are the MVC Championships in Evansville on October 31.
Swim and Dive
While the team was not in competition, swim and dive did earn another weekly award as Olivia Herron was named the MVC Women's Swimmer of the Week. The prior weekend, Herron collected six win between meets against UIC and Northwester/Miami (OH). Herron also found her way into the top-16 nationally for the 100- and 200-breaststroke and 200-yard IM.
The Saluki women are back in the pool this weekend for a two-day meet against Illinois and Illinois State on Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
/ Cross Country
RB
/ Football
/ Men's Golf
/ Cross Country
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Cross Country
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
WR
/ Football
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Golf
F
/ Women's Soccer
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
LB
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