Salukis Swept by Illinois State - Southern Illinois University Athletics

Friday, October 23

Carbondale, IL

6 PM

Southern Illinois University

9-12,3-6MVC

Illinois State

16-4,7-2MVC

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Illinois St.	25	25	25	3
Southern Ill.	20	17	16	0

10/23/2026 | 9:50:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Corey Crombar, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki Volleyball squad came into Friday's match looking to snap a five-match losing skid. However, the Redbirds made quick work of the Salukis on Friday in Davies Gym.

The Salukis started the first set and match playing solid volleyball and were playing the Redbirds well. Some back-and-forth volleyball saw the score sit at 15-13 in favor of the Redbirds at the first set technical timeout. Both teams were playing clean and there were not many errors in the first set - a storyline that would not continue for the Salukis. After attempting to mount a comeback toward the end of the set, Southern was not able to overcome the deficit. Illinois State sealed set one by a score of 25-20.

Set two saw Illinois State go on a 10-1 scoring run in the middle of the set, which was simply too much for the Salukis to bounce back from. The set started fairly even, with Illinois State only leading by a score of 6-5, but then the Redbirds went on their long run. The Salukis tried to create a scoring run of their own, and they did. They were able to be on the better half of a 4-0 run, but it was not enough. A Saluki attack error gave set two to the Redbirds, 25-17.

The third and final set saw several small runs that propelled the Redbirds to the set and match victory. The Salukis fell behind early, 8-3. Once again, the Dawgs were unable to overcome the deficit. Just when the Salukis answered with a small run, the Redbirds answered with one of their own. At the end of the set, the Salukis were down 21-11. A four-point run for the Dawgs brought it a bit closer at 21-15. But yet again, the Redbirds answered with another run. This time, a 4-1 scoring run in favor of the Redbirds sealed the deal, 25-16 in set three.

After the match, Head Coach Brittany Harry said, "Illinois State came to play tonight but we had spurts of really good volleyball. At the end of the day, we have to be better offensively. We have to dig more balls and we have to get the middles involved in transition to take some pressure off of the pins. So, when you see the rotations and spurts of good volleyball you can see the goodness we see in practice every day. We are still getting better every day and that process-focused mindset will eventually lead us back to the win column."

UP NEXT
The Salukis wrap up their three-game home stretch versus Murray State on Saturday, October 24 at 5 p.m. at Davies Gym.

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