Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
5-2,0-0MVC
Iowa
5-2,0-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Ill. | 23 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 1 |
| Iowa | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Southern Drops Back-and-Forth Battle with Big 10 Foe Iowa
09/10/2026 | 9:51:00 | Women's Volleyball
CORALVILLE, Iowa - The Southern Illinois Women's Volleyball team gave Big 10 opponent Iowa all it could handle in a four set loss on Thursday evening at Xtream Arena. The Salukis look to bounce back during their doubleheader tomorrow against Incarnate Word and Missouri State.
After coming off a five set loss to Saint Louis, the Salukis looked to get back in the win column on Thursday against Big 10 foe Iowa. Iowa was looking to stay hot as they were coming off a victorious sweep in the Cyhawk match against in-state rival Iowa State. The match Friday was the ninth all-time between Iowa and Southern Illinois.
The Salukis came out and shocked many people with their performance today. That all began in the first set of today's match. The Salukis jumped out to an early four-point lead, much to the chagrin of Hawkeye supporters. However, a few Saluki errors and countless kills brought the Hawkeyes back into the set. In the first set, the Salukis ultimately fell by a score of 25-22.
Southern trotted into the second set with confidence and grit. The second set was close for its entirety. There were lead changes and a severe lack of scoring runs. The biggest scoring run was four points by the Salukis, which swung them from a two-point deficit to a two-point lead. That was exactly what they needed to close out the set. The Salukis took the second set by a score of 25-23, with the set ending on a service ace from Alexandria Arrington.Â
Entering the third set, both teams were looking for the advantage as it was tied, 1-1. However, the Hawkeyes played their best volleyball in this set. When they took the initial 1-0 lead in the set, they never looked back. The Hawkeyes grew many large leads, with their largest being eleven points. The Salukis tried to mount several comebacks, but simply were not able to crawl out of the deep hole they were in. The Hawkeyes dominated the set and won it by a score of 25-15.
The Dawgs looked like an entirely different team in the fourth set and they were back to form. SIU took the first point of the set, and looked to grow that lead - and they did just that. The Salukis grew their lead to six points, forcing Iowa to take a timeout. After the timeout, Iowa stormed back, going on a 6-0 run, tying the set at 13 apiece. From that moment forward, it was the tale of two sides: one looking to stay alive, and the other looking to close it out. It was close for the remainder of the set, but the Hawkeyes had the Salukis at set point, 24-20. The Dawgs scored three straight, bringing themselves back within a point, but were unable to tie it as a kill from Iowa's Carmel Vares sealed the set for the Hawkeyes by a score of 25-23.
After the match, Head Coach Brittany Harry said, "We went punch-for-punch with a Big Ten opponent tonight. It's a tough pill to swallow for me though because we had some decent leads in the 1st and 4th set but we just couldn't close out. This match showed us exactly where we stand and what we need to polish to win these tight matches. We wouldn't have even been in a position to win without great offensive showings from Kenzie and Ella S. Very proud of the fight in this group tonight, the heart and grit we showed proves exactly what we are capable of."
SALUKI STATISTICÂ LEADERS
Kills:Â McKenzie Moeller, 18
Aces: McKenzie Moeller, 4
Blocks:Â Beatriz Piaia, 6
Assists:Â Lillian Dempkey, 21
Digs:Â Ella McFarland, 13
UP NEXT
The Salukis wrap up the Hawkeye Invitational on Friday with a doubleheader. They will play Incarnate Word at 11 AM and former Missouri Valley Conference member Missouri State at 3 PM.
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