Salukis Defeat Warhawks in 2026 Opener

Friday, August 28

Commerce, TX

2 PM

Southern Illinois University

1-0,0-0MVC

Louisiana-Monroe

0-1,0-0Sun Belt

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Southern Ill.	25	26	15	25	3
ULM	21	24	25	20	1

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey bumps a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Saluki fans smile for a picture prior to the game.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team breaks down a huddle in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Members of the team smile and put dog ears up for a picture.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Julia Laidig dives for a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team on the floor huddles prior to the start of the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Chloe Anderson jumps up to block an attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller sends a ball flying over the net.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Chloe Anderson jumps up and rejects a UL Monroe attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team huddles after a point in celebration.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt jumps up and serves a ball.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller tips a ball over the outstretched arms of two Warhawks.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger sends an attack past the Warhawk blockers.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger and Beatriz Piaia come crashing down after a block attempt.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Head Coach Brittany Harry talks to her team during a timeout.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller goes airborne for an attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller follows through on a serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team on the court huddles up after a point.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Chloe Anderson attempts to tip a ball over the Warhawk blockers.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The bench smacks the floor to hype up the team on the court.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey high fives graduate assistant Emma Lade.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Beatriz Piaia smacks the ball through the Warhawk blockers' arms.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Natalie Vance attacks around the Warhawk blockers.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Head Coach Brittany Harry talks to her team in between sets.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team breaks down the huddle after a set.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller jumps up to serve a ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt prepares to take air in the middle of her serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt serves a ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller smashes a ball through the arms of Warhawks blockers.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey bumps a ball backwards over her head.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger spikes a ball around the Warhawks.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt sets a ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger comes down from an attack in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt rocks back for a serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey serves a ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Chloe Anderson and Ella Swansiger jump to block a ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger smashes a ball around the Warhawk blockers.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The bench smacks the court to hype up the team on the floor.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Head Coach Brittany Harry talks with the team postgame.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team breaks down a huddle in the locker room postgame.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

08/28/2026 | 7:11:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Corey Crombar, SIUSalukis.com

COMMERCE, Texas - The Saluki Women's Volleyball team made a statement with a dominant win in their season opener Friday against the UL Monroe Warhawks at The Field House.

Starting the season on a high note is something every team tries to achieve - and the Salukis managed to do just that today. Southern came out swinging and looked ready to play. The Salukis started hot, winning the first set by a score of 25-21.

The second set was one to remember. After trailing by a score of 22-24 with the Warhawks on set point, the Salukis managed to rally back with four unanswered, and win the second set by a score of 26-24. In this set, the momentum swung back and forth, there were highs and lows for both squads, and there were scoring runs galore. Southern's 18 kills propelled them to the set victory, giving them a comfortable 2-0 set lead in the match.

Despite a fiery start to the third set from the Dawgs, the third set was all Warhawks. The Salukis started the set on a 4-0 run until a kill by Abby Cunningham for UL Monroe's first point fo the set stole the momentum from the Salukis. UL Monroe took the set by a score of 15-25. There is plenty for the Salukis to look back and learn from this third set.

After the Salukis got the third set out of their system, they returned to form. They looked comfortable, energetic, and ready to put the game away. After the Dawgs scored their first point, they never looked back, leading by as many as 9 points in the fourth and final set. The Salukis won the set 25-20.

Despite the overall youth on the team, the Salukis looked experienced - and that can be attributed to the leadership and maturity of the returning seniors: Ella Swanisger and Jillian Shaneyfelt. Swansiger and Shaneyfelt did not miss a beat over the offseason. They looked confident, experienced, and skilled. Swansiger's 12 kills was the most of any Saluki in today's contest. Shaneyfelt also tallied a team-high 21 digs in the win.

Also leading the team statistically was Beatriz Piaia with 9 blocks and Ella McFarland with 23 assists and 3 service aces.

UP NEXT
The Dawgs take the court again tomorrow, Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. against the host Lions of East Texas A&M.

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.