Friday, September 26
Murray, KY
6 PM
Southern Illinois University
6-7,1-0MVC
3
at
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Murray State
2-9,0-2MVC
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Southern Ill.
25
25
25
25
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Murray St.
23
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27
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Photo by: Jordan Kruse
Bulmahn, Krakowski set career-highs, power Southern to Harry's first MVC victory
09/26/2025 | 9:43:00 | Women's Volleyball
MURRAY, Ky. - Cecilia Bulmahn set a career-high with 20 kills and Eva Krakowski collected 11 blocks as Southern Illinois opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a 3-1 victory over Murray State on Friday. The win improves their record to 6-7 on the season and is the first MVC win for Head Coach Brittany Harry.
The Salukis were dominant from the beginning and made their mark from the service line.
"Overall, I thought we were in control of the tempo most of the night," Harry said. "We were really good behind the service line with nine aces behind the service line, but I honestly think we can be a little more aggressive behind the service line and take some bigger risks."
Murray State was primed to take a 1-0 lead at home, holding a 20-15 lead late in set one. Bulmahn would take over, collecting three kills and two aces in Southern's 10-3 run to close and win the set.
Southern's offense fired on all cylinders in set two, stretching a lead as wide as 12 and cruising to a victory. Harry credits the big offensive night in large part to her setters.Â
"Offensively, Emma Lade and Meghan Anderson are doing a really good job spreading the ball, getting four of our kids into double-digit kills with Ceci Bulmahn and Kelly Franklin leading the way."
Franklin not only matched her season-high with 16 kills, but she did so efficiently, hitting .522 on the night.
SIU had the Racers on the brink of a sweep with a 24-22 advantage in set three, but MSU showed impressive fight, extending the match by a narrow score of 27-25.
Krakowski had arguably the best set of her Saluki tenure in set four, sealing the victory with one of her seven blocks in the set, and capping off a night in which she tallied a career-high 11 blocks. Southern would win the set 25-19 and leave Murray 1-0 in conference play.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will return home to face Evansville on Saturday.
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.
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The Salukis were dominant from the beginning and made their mark from the service line.
"Overall, I thought we were in control of the tempo most of the night," Harry said. "We were really good behind the service line with nine aces behind the service line, but I honestly think we can be a little more aggressive behind the service line and take some bigger risks."
Murray State was primed to take a 1-0 lead at home, holding a 20-15 lead late in set one. Bulmahn would take over, collecting three kills and two aces in Southern's 10-3 run to close and win the set.
Southern's offense fired on all cylinders in set two, stretching a lead as wide as 12 and cruising to a victory. Harry credits the big offensive night in large part to her setters.Â
"Offensively, Emma Lade and Meghan Anderson are doing a really good job spreading the ball, getting four of our kids into double-digit kills with Ceci Bulmahn and Kelly Franklin leading the way."
Franklin not only matched her season-high with 16 kills, but she did so efficiently, hitting .522 on the night.
SIU had the Racers on the brink of a sweep with a 24-22 advantage in set three, but MSU showed impressive fight, extending the match by a narrow score of 27-25.
Krakowski had arguably the best set of her Saluki tenure in set four, sealing the victory with one of her seven blocks in the set, and capping off a night in which she tallied a career-high 11 blocks. Southern would win the set 25-19 and leave Murray 1-0 in conference play.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will return home to face Evansville on Saturday.
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.
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Team Stats
SIU
MUR
Kills
66
53
Errors
29
20
Attempts
152
147
Hitting %
.243
.224
Points
88.0
65.0
Assists
63
51
Aces
9
2
Blocks
13
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
20
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
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