Salukis Sweep Texas Southern, Finish Undefeated at Lion Invitational

Sunday, August 30

Commerce, TX

11 AM

Southern Illinois University

3-0,0-0MVC

Texas Southern

0-3,0-0SWAC

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Southern Ill.	25	25	25	3
Texas Southern	21	14	21	0

Valentina Zevallos bumps a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Isabella Del Real bumps a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Natalie Vance goes up for a spike in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger rocks back for an attack in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team high fives under the net in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger lunges to bump a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ida Almkvist and Chloe Anderson pracitce blocking in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ida Almkvist practices blocking in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger and Natalie Vance high five.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team cheers and comes together for a huddle in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt lunges for a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey smiles as she bumps a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger sets a ball backwards over her head.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella McFarland lunges for a ball in warmups.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ida Almkvist runs toward a ball as she sticks her arm out.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Una Stepic follows through on a set ball.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Saluki fans smile for a picture and put up dog ears.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team stands side-by-side before starting lineup introductions.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The Salukis clap for the opposing team's introduction.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller waves to the crowd as her name is announced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella McFarland smiles and waves toward the crowd as she is introduced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Carlota Mora waves toward the crowd as she is introduced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Beatriz Piaia holds up dog ears as she is introduced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Chloe Anderson waves to the Saluki bench as she is announced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt waves as she is introduced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Isabella Del Real waves as she is introduced.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The Salukis stand in unison with their hands on their hearts during the national anthem.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Natalie Vance prepares to swing for an attack in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Carlota Mora jumps up as she serves the ball in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Jillian Shaneyfelt swings her arm back as she serves the ball.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey smacks the ball during her serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger swings her arm back as she begins her attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger hits the ball during an attack in the match.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Natalie Vance and Chloe Anderson jump up and block an incoming attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger swings her arm back during an attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The bench celebrates after a service ace.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Ella Swansiger tips a ball over the net.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

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

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller goes airborne as she begins her attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Lillian Dempkey tosses a ball in the air as she begins her serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

The team breaks down a huddle at the end of a timeout.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Natalie Vance smacks a ball during an attack.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

McKenzie Moeller high fives Head Coach Brittany Harry as she comes off the court.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Julia Laidig tosses a ball in the air as she begins her serve.

Photo by: Corey Crombar

Salukis Sweep Texas Southern, Finish Undefeated at Lion Invitational

08/30/2026 | 2:34:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Corey Crombar, SIUSalukis.com

COMMERCE, Texas - Despite a slow start to the match, the Salukis emerged victorious over the Texas Southern Tigers on Sunday at The Field House. The Salukis picked up their third win in as many days, and their first sweep of the season.

At the beginning of the first set, the Salukis looked sluggish. However, this did not last long. The Tigers got off to a fast start, taking multiple leads over the Salukis. However, thanks to a four-point run, the Salukis were able to tie the set at 17 apiece. Once Southern overcame that hump, it was all Dawgs for the rest of the match. The Salukis took the first set by a score of 25-21.

In the second set, the Salukis were dominant. There was never a doubt about which team was going to take set two. The Salukis had an incredibly hot start, gaining a 7-1 lead on the scoreboard. There were kills, service aces, blocks, assists, digs, everything. The Salukis were back to form and it seemed as if they were unable to make a mistake. The final point of the set came off a service ace from McKenzie Moeller, securing the set victory for the Salukis, 25-14.

The third set was also a bright spot for the Salukis. Southern grew a comfortable lead over the Tigers, allowing for sophomore Julia Laidig and true freshman Alexandria Arrington to hit the court for the first time this season. The Salukis had some moments they can learn and grow from in this set, especially the newer faces, but it was overall a great moment for everyone on the team. Arrington recorded her first career kill, dig, and block. She finished with 3 kills on the day. Texas Southern tried to come back in the set, getting within 1 point, but were unable to make anything of it as the Salukis took the set 25-21, ending the match with a Saluki sweep.

Leading the Salukis offensively today were Natalie Vance and Ella Swansiger, both tallying 9 kills. Fueling those kills were the Saluki setters, Ella McFarland and Lillian Dempkey, who had 14 assists and 13 assists, respectively. Defensively, Chloe Anderson led the team with a total of 6 blocks on the day. Leading the digs category was once again Jillian Shaneyfelt, but McKenzie Moeller joined her today, both recording 7 digs.

Head Coach Brittany Harry enthusiastically said, "What a great way to open up the season for Saluki volleyball. This group wants to win but is also beginning to understand that the results we want will come if we stay bought in to the process. I think we did a good job of fighting back into the first set after a really slow start at the beginning of the match and Ella Swansiger was a big part of that offensively. This weekend she was just terminal, she was locked into the scout and went out and executed. Once we settled in, it was great to get some of our new players some experience on the court. Today we are going to enjoy this win and our 3-0 weekend but tomorrow it's right back to work."

Representing the Salukis on the Lion Invitational All-Tournament Team are Natalie Vance and Ella Swansiger. Swansiger was also named tournament MVP.

UP NEXT
The Salukis will take the week to prepare for their own tournament, the Saluki Bash. The Bash will be held at the Banterra Center in Carbondale on September 4th and 5th. Southern will face Southeast Missouri State and Merrimack on Friday, September 4th.

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.