Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Friday, September 25
Evansville, IN
6 PM
Southern Illinois University
7-6,1-0MVC
3
at
2
Evansville
3-10,0-1MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Ill. | 25 | 21 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| Evansville | 19 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 2 |
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Photo by: Corey Crombar
Salukis Defeat Evansville in Thrilling Conference Opener
09/25/2026 | 10:30:00 | Women's Volleyball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Saluki Women's Volleyball team started their 2026 Missouri Valley Conference slate with a thrilling back-and-forth match against the Evansville Purple Aces on Friday at the Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
After taking the first set, the Salukis proceeded to drop the next two. All momentum had shifted in favor of the Purple Aces and it began to look like the writing was on the wall. But, the Salukis kept their heads up, played with passion, and stole the next two sets, giving them an exciting five set victory.
The Dawgs came out hot in the first set. They looked refreshed, energized, and ready to make a statement. The Salukis were playing their brand of volleyball. The story of the first set was the potent offense from the Salukis. The Dawgs had 15 kills on 33 attacks, with only 2 attack errors (0.394 attack perecentage). The Purple Aces had no answer and the first set quickly came to an end. The final score of the set was 25-19, SIU.
The second set painted an entirely different picture for both teams and the match as a whole. Evansville was eager to answer after falling in set one. The Purple Aces had two long scoring runs: one to open the set and one near the end of the set. The Saluki offense had also come to a slight halt as the Salukis only tallied 11 kills on 32 attacks with 8 attack errors (0.094 attack percentage). The aggression and confidence was still there, but the execution was lacking in comparison to set one. Despite this, the Salukis attempted to mount a comeback at the end. Evansville had SIU at set point, 24-18, but the Salukis went on a run. SIU brought it back within three points, but ultimately a Saluki service error ended the set. Set two ended 25-21 in favor of Evansville.
Entering set three, the match was tied at one and both teams were looking to gain the set advantage. The Dawgs came out more aggressive, and it showed on the stat sheet. The Salukis tallied 43 attacks in the set, their most on the night. But, the Purple Aces answered with 41 attacks of their own. The difference was efficiency. The Salukis recorded 12 kills and 7 attack errors (0.116 attack percentage) in the set, while Evansville recorded 17 kills and only 4 attack errors (0.317 attack percentage). The set was tight and back-and-forth up until the very end. Ultimately, Evansville took set three 25-20 on the back of a 5-1 run to end the set.
Set four was do or die for the Dawgs - and they knew it. SIU came out the most aggressive they had been all night and they looked unshakable. Despite dropping two sets in a row, the squad looked fresh and eager to continue to play their game. The Salukis and Purple Aces were once again going back-and-forth. The Salukis went up 20-18 and closed the set on a 5-1 run, thanks to kills from McKenzie Moeller and Ella Swansiger and three errors by Evansville. Set four fell to the Dawgs 25-19.
The stage was set for the fifth set: all tied at two sets with both sides playing exceptional volleyball and looking to seal the deal. The beginning of the set looked bleak for SIU as Evansville jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Salukis finally snagged a point after McKenzie Moeller had a successful kill off an assist from Ella McFarland. That was just the push the Salukis needed to get back on track. The Dawgs went on to take the lead in the set at 10-9. From that moment forward, it was truly back-and-forth, as points alternated for the remainder of the set. With the score sitting at 14-13 in favor of Southern, they were looking to put it to rest. At 8:35 p.m., the ball landed on Evansville's side of the court for the final time off an attack by true freshman Alexandria Arrington with an assist from senior libero Jillian Shaneyfelt. The Salukis took set five 15-13.
Head Coach Brittany Harry said, "When a match goes to a fifth set, it usually comes down to who can handle the pressure and take care of the ball late in the game. Evansville challenged us at the net all night, but our serving pressure really carried us through the finish line. We finished with 15 aces on the night, which is just incredible, and it allowed us to stay in the match when our blocking got quiet and the Evansville offense was hot. Offensively, Ella and Natalie did a great job on the right-side for us combining for 26 kills and a .300 hitting percentage. Really proud of this group for toughing out this win."
UP NEXT
The Salukis will finish the weekend road trip with a battle against the Indiana State Sycamores at 5 p.m. CT Saturday at ISU Arena in Terre Haute, Ind.
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.
After taking the first set, the Salukis proceeded to drop the next two. All momentum had shifted in favor of the Purple Aces and it began to look like the writing was on the wall. But, the Salukis kept their heads up, played with passion, and stole the next two sets, giving them an exciting five set victory.
The Dawgs came out hot in the first set. They looked refreshed, energized, and ready to make a statement. The Salukis were playing their brand of volleyball. The story of the first set was the potent offense from the Salukis. The Dawgs had 15 kills on 33 attacks, with only 2 attack errors (0.394 attack perecentage). The Purple Aces had no answer and the first set quickly came to an end. The final score of the set was 25-19, SIU.
The second set painted an entirely different picture for both teams and the match as a whole. Evansville was eager to answer after falling in set one. The Purple Aces had two long scoring runs: one to open the set and one near the end of the set. The Saluki offense had also come to a slight halt as the Salukis only tallied 11 kills on 32 attacks with 8 attack errors (0.094 attack percentage). The aggression and confidence was still there, but the execution was lacking in comparison to set one. Despite this, the Salukis attempted to mount a comeback at the end. Evansville had SIU at set point, 24-18, but the Salukis went on a run. SIU brought it back within three points, but ultimately a Saluki service error ended the set. Set two ended 25-21 in favor of Evansville.
Entering set three, the match was tied at one and both teams were looking to gain the set advantage. The Dawgs came out more aggressive, and it showed on the stat sheet. The Salukis tallied 43 attacks in the set, their most on the night. But, the Purple Aces answered with 41 attacks of their own. The difference was efficiency. The Salukis recorded 12 kills and 7 attack errors (0.116 attack percentage) in the set, while Evansville recorded 17 kills and only 4 attack errors (0.317 attack percentage). The set was tight and back-and-forth up until the very end. Ultimately, Evansville took set three 25-20 on the back of a 5-1 run to end the set.
Set four was do or die for the Dawgs - and they knew it. SIU came out the most aggressive they had been all night and they looked unshakable. Despite dropping two sets in a row, the squad looked fresh and eager to continue to play their game. The Salukis and Purple Aces were once again going back-and-forth. The Salukis went up 20-18 and closed the set on a 5-1 run, thanks to kills from McKenzie Moeller and Ella Swansiger and three errors by Evansville. Set four fell to the Dawgs 25-19.
The stage was set for the fifth set: all tied at two sets with both sides playing exceptional volleyball and looking to seal the deal. The beginning of the set looked bleak for SIU as Evansville jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Salukis finally snagged a point after McKenzie Moeller had a successful kill off an assist from Ella McFarland. That was just the push the Salukis needed to get back on track. The Dawgs went on to take the lead in the set at 10-9. From that moment forward, it was truly back-and-forth, as points alternated for the remainder of the set. With the score sitting at 14-13 in favor of Southern, they were looking to put it to rest. At 8:35 p.m., the ball landed on Evansville's side of the court for the final time off an attack by true freshman Alexandria Arrington with an assist from senior libero Jillian Shaneyfelt. The Salukis took set five 15-13.
Head Coach Brittany Harry said, "When a match goes to a fifth set, it usually comes down to who can handle the pressure and take care of the ball late in the game. Evansville challenged us at the net all night, but our serving pressure really carried us through the finish line. We finished with 15 aces on the night, which is just incredible, and it allowed us to stay in the match when our blocking got quiet and the Evansville offense was hot. Offensively, Ella and Natalie did a great job on the right-side for us combining for 26 kills and a .300 hitting percentage. Really proud of this group for toughing out this win."
UP NEXT
The Salukis will finish the weekend road trip with a battle against the Indiana State Sycamores at 5 p.m. CT Saturday at ISU Arena in Terre Haute, Ind.
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.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S/OP
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OP
/ Women's Volleyball
OP
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
SIU
Evans
Kills
55
58
Errors
26
18
Attempts
158
147
Hitting %
.184
.272
Points
75.0
74.0
Assists
52
52
Aces
15
7
Blocks
5
9
Game Leaders
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Sunday, September 27
Saturday, September 26
Friday, September 25
Friday, September 25