This Week in Saluki Athletics: November 17-23
11/17/2025 | 11:34:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Crossover season is winding down at Southern Illinois. Two fall sports wrapped up their season this past week while football played their penultimate regular season game. Meanwhile, both basketballs continued their early seasons.
Soccer
The postseason awards continued rolling in for SIU soccer this past week when five Salukis were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team. Olivia Anderson and Guliana Balistreri added the honor to their other postseason accolades, while Dory Latenser , Aylie Haycock, and Veronica Gonzalez also earned the title, marking the first time the three have won a postseason award from the MVC.
Volleyball (13-17, 7-9)
Volleyball wrapped up their 2025 season this weekend with a pair of wins.
On Friday, they defeated Indiana State 3-2. Cecilia Bulmahn was the team leader in kills with 18 while Emma Lade dished out an impressive 39 assists. In the back row, Jillian Shaneyfelt picked up 22 digs.
The season concluded on Saturday when the Salukis swept Evansville. Buhlman not only led the team in kills again with 15, but she also led all players. Lade added another 37 assists to her season total. On defense, Shaneyfelt had 20 digs while Eva Krakowski had seven blocks at the net.
At the conclusion of the regular season, volleyball sits with a 13-17 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play.
Football (6-5, 3-4)
Football played their final home game of the season on Saturday, falling 53-51 in five overtimes to #17/22 South Dakota on Senior Day. Quarterback DJ Williams put up monster stats, throwing for over 300 yards with four passing touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing yards with 89. Jay Jones was one of Williams' top targets, reeling in two receiving touchdowns and 108 receiving yards. On defense, Jeremiah McClendon had one interception and Vinny Pierre Jr. forced a fumble.
The regular season concludes this week for football. On Saturday, Nov. 22, the Salukis visit #14/13 Illinois State at 12 p.m.
Cross Country
Cross country ended their 2025 season at the NCAA Midwest Regional last week. Brady Faulkner and Calen George led the way for the men's squad, finishing their runs in 33:45.8 and 34:09.7. On the women's team, Hannah Meiser led the pack with her run of 23:58.1.
Swim and Dive
It was a big week for swim and dive, who hosted the three-day A3 Performance Invite from Thursday through Saturday. The Salukis swept the Invite, with the women's team grabbing first place with 943 points while the men's team led the five team field with 825 points. Olivia Herron and Benedek Andor were standouts for the Salukis, with them being named the Women's and Men's Swimmer of the Meet.
The invite circuit continues this week for swim and dive, who participates in the Mizzou Invite from Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.
Men's Basketball (2-1, 0-0)
The men's basketball squad suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday when they lost 86-81 at Nevada in overtime.
Quel'Ron House was the only Saluki to play over 40 minutes and dropped a team-high 22 points; he also tied for the game lead in assists with seven. On the boards, Jorge Moreno had nine rebounds to lead the team.
The team is back on the road on Monday, Nov. 17, when they play North Dakota State University at 7 p.m. (CST). Then, on Sunday, Nov. 23, they begin play at the Jacksonville Classic with a 2 p.m. (CST) game versus Delaware.
Women's Basketball (1-1, 0-0)
After over a week off from play, women's basketball was back at it on Saturday when they visited and lost to Purdue Fort Wayne, 85-60. Alayna Kraus continued her impressive debut-season as a Saluki, dropping a team-high 20 points. Tkiyah Nelson had a nice game as well, grabbing six rebounds, tied for the team lead, while dishing out a team-leading three assists.
Two more games await SIU this week. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the team travels to Missouri for a 6:30 p.m. game. They then return home for a 2 p.m. match versus Austin Peay on Sunday, Nov. 23.
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
The postseason awards continued rolling in for SIU soccer this past week when five Salukis were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team. Olivia Anderson and Guliana Balistreri added the honor to their other postseason accolades, while Dory Latenser , Aylie Haycock, and Veronica Gonzalez also earned the title, marking the first time the three have won a postseason award from the MVC.
Volleyball (13-17, 7-9)
Volleyball wrapped up their 2025 season this weekend with a pair of wins.
On Friday, they defeated Indiana State 3-2. Cecilia Bulmahn was the team leader in kills with 18 while Emma Lade dished out an impressive 39 assists. In the back row, Jillian Shaneyfelt picked up 22 digs.
The season concluded on Saturday when the Salukis swept Evansville. Buhlman not only led the team in kills again with 15, but she also led all players. Lade added another 37 assists to her season total. On defense, Shaneyfelt had 20 digs while Eva Krakowski had seven blocks at the net.
At the conclusion of the regular season, volleyball sits with a 13-17 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play.
Football (6-5, 3-4)
Football played their final home game of the season on Saturday, falling 53-51 in five overtimes to #17/22 South Dakota on Senior Day. Quarterback DJ Williams put up monster stats, throwing for over 300 yards with four passing touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing yards with 89. Jay Jones was one of Williams' top targets, reeling in two receiving touchdowns and 108 receiving yards. On defense, Jeremiah McClendon had one interception and Vinny Pierre Jr. forced a fumble.
The regular season concludes this week for football. On Saturday, Nov. 22, the Salukis visit #14/13 Illinois State at 12 p.m.
Cross Country
Cross country ended their 2025 season at the NCAA Midwest Regional last week. Brady Faulkner and Calen George led the way for the men's squad, finishing their runs in 33:45.8 and 34:09.7. On the women's team, Hannah Meiser led the pack with her run of 23:58.1.
Swim and Dive
It was a big week for swim and dive, who hosted the three-day A3 Performance Invite from Thursday through Saturday. The Salukis swept the Invite, with the women's team grabbing first place with 943 points while the men's team led the five team field with 825 points. Olivia Herron and Benedek Andor were standouts for the Salukis, with them being named the Women's and Men's Swimmer of the Meet.
The invite circuit continues this week for swim and dive, who participates in the Mizzou Invite from Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.
Men's Basketball (2-1, 0-0)
The men's basketball squad suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday when they lost 86-81 at Nevada in overtime.
Quel'Ron House was the only Saluki to play over 40 minutes and dropped a team-high 22 points; he also tied for the game lead in assists with seven. On the boards, Jorge Moreno had nine rebounds to lead the team.
The team is back on the road on Monday, Nov. 17, when they play North Dakota State University at 7 p.m. (CST). Then, on Sunday, Nov. 23, they begin play at the Jacksonville Classic with a 2 p.m. (CST) game versus Delaware.
Women's Basketball (1-1, 0-0)
After over a week off from play, women's basketball was back at it on Saturday when they visited and lost to Purdue Fort Wayne, 85-60. Alayna Kraus continued her impressive debut-season as a Saluki, dropping a team-high 20 points. Tkiyah Nelson had a nice game as well, grabbing six rebounds, tied for the team lead, while dishing out a team-leading three assists.
Two more games await SIU this week. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the team travels to Missouri for a 6:30 p.m. game. They then return home for a 2 p.m. match versus Austin Peay on Sunday, Nov. 23.
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
Free/Breast/Fly/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
D/F
/ Women's Soccer
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
G
/ Men's Basketball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
G
/ Women's Basketball
D
/ Women's Soccer
CB
/ Football
/ Cross Country
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
S
/ Football
DS/L
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