Saluki Volleyball falls to Saint Louis in five sets

Saturday, September 5

Carbondale, IL

2:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

5-1,0-0MVC

Saint Louis

4-1,0-0Atlantic 10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Saint Louis	25	22	16	25	15	3
Southern Ill.	23	25	25	12	9	2

Assistant Coach Chris Yates looks on during warmups.

Assistant Coach Bryleigh Buchanan hits a ball in warmups.

Assistant Coach Chris Yates talks with Ella McFarland in warmups.

The team stands together during the national anthem.

The coaching staff sits on the bench and watches as the opposing team is announced.

The team is shined on by a spotlight during their intro video.

The team huddles prior to the start of the match.

McKenzie Moeller jumps over the net and blocks a ball.

McKenzie Moeller spikes a ball over the net.

Head Coach Brittany Harry points and directs her team.

The team ecstatically celebrates a point.

The bench cheers on the squad on the floor.

Carlota Mora outstretches her arm to tip a ball.

Ella Swansiger smacks a ball over the net.

McKenzie Moeller jumps and serves a ball.

The bench throws their hands up in an attempt to distract the incoming serve.

Natalie Vance spikes a ball over the blockers.

Ella McFarland and McKenzie Moeller double high five.

Natalie Vance swings her arm back to attack a ball.

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

McKenzie Moeller jumps sideways to bump a ball.

Lillian Dempkey rocks her arm back prior to serving the ball.

Ella Swansiger and McKenzie Moeller chest bump after a point.

Ella Swansiger swings her arm back for an attack.

Ella Swansiger spikes a ball over the net and blocker's arms.

Beatriz Piaia and Natalie Vance jump up to block an incoming attack.

Head Coach Brittany Harry looks on during the match.

The coaching staff looks on during a team timeout.

Beatriz Piaia points and directs the squad during the match.

Assistant Coach Chris Yates watches the match in his signature squat.

Graduate Assistant Emma Lade watches the match from the bench.

Jillian Shaneyfelt bumps an incoming ball.

Beatriz Piaia and Natalie Vance block an incoming attack.

The team jumps, screams, and celebrates after a point.

McKenzie Moeller follows through on her attack.

Natalie Vance looks at Ella McFarland with intensity and excitement after a point.

Ella McFarland prepares to serve a ball.

Head Coach Brittany Harry puts her hands out in confusion after a questionable call.

The team screams and celebrates after winning a set.

Ella McFarland tips a ball over the net.

Jillian Shaneyfelt jumps and celebrates with the rest of her team.

Assistant Coach Bryleigh Buchanan and Graduate Assistant Emma Lade talk with McKenzie Moeller during a timeout.

Jillian Shaneyelt dribbles a ball prior to her serve.

Head Coach Brittany Harry claps in support of her team.

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

Members of the team hold each other in a huddle during a timeout.

Natalie Vance and Beatriz Piaia jump up for a block.

McKenzie Moeller smacks a ball over the net.

Isabella Del Real begins to clap in support of her teammates.

Jillian Shaneyfelt lays out for a dig in the match.

Julia Laidig looks at the ball and puts her hand in the air prior to her serve.

Isabella Del Real prepares for her serve.

Ella McFarland sets a ball above her head.

Jillian Shaneyfelt talks with the referee and the opposing team's captain before the match.

Graduate Assistant Emma Lade talks to members of the team prior to the match.

Assistant Athletic Trainer Lexi Tobin smiles as she talks with the team.

The team huddles around Head Coach Brittany Harry before the match.

Ella Swansiger and Beatriz Piaia share a laugh after a point.

Head Coach Brittany Harry gives feedback to her team on the sideline.

The team stands side-by-side with their hands on their hearts during the national anthem.

Ella McFarland jumps in the air as she serves a ball.

Natalie Vance spikes a ball over the arms of blockers.

Natalie Vance and Beatriz Piaia jump to block an incoming attack.

McKenzie Moeller tips a ball over the net.

Ella Swansiger rocks back as she prepares for an attack.

Natalie Vance prepares for the incoming serve.

Natalie Vance rocks her arm back as she attacks the ball.

Beatriz Piaia screams in celebration after a point.

Head Coach Brittany Harry talks to her team as she blocks her mouth with her hand.

Jillian Shaneyfelt and Chloe Anderson double high five.

Carlota Mora swings her arm back for an attack.

McKenzie Moeller goes airborne for an attack.

09/05/2026 | 6:47:00 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Corey Crombar, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - After playing six games in eight days, Saluki Volleyball's undefeated streak finally came to an end at the hands of the Saint Louis Billikens. The Salukis fell to the Billikens in five sets on Saturday at the Banterra Center.

The Salukis came into Saturday's match looking to stay undefeated against a solid Saint Louis squad. The first set showed grit and the all-around skill both teams had. The set was back-and-forth, a theme the Salukis are incredibly familiar with by now. It was the Billikens who pulled away just enough though, taking the set 25-23.

After falling in set one, Southern was determined to bounce back - and they did just that. Thanks to several small runs, something else the Salukis are familiar with, the Salukis had Saint Louis up against a wall, holding them at set point, 24-19. Though the Salukis were only a point away from the set victory, the Billikens didn't back down. They attempted to mount a comeback, scoring three straight. Unfortunately for the Billikens, the set ended on a service error by Anna Alexander, giving the Salukis the second set by a score of 25-22.

The third set was all Dawgs. The Billikens looked exhausted after two strenuous sets. There were a lot of errors in the set for both teams - both attacking errors and service errors. However, the Salukis didn't let that hold them back as they took advantage of the Billiken mistakes. Saint Louis never had a lead in set three. Set point came off another service error for Saint Louis, this time by Ellie Rink. Southern took set three 25-16.

The fourth set was one to forget for the Salukis. The Billikens came out swinging after falling by a big margin in the third set. The Billikens were scoring point after point and never looked back. The Billikens dominated the Salukis in service, attacks, blocking, and simply all around. The Salukis never had a lead in the set, as Saint Louis took the set by a dominant score of 25-12.

The match headed to a winner-take-all fifth set. Both teams had won a close set, won a not-so-close set, and lost two sets in the same fashion. Both teams were determined to win, but Saint Louis had the ultimate edge. What gave them that edge was the Saluki errors. The Dawgs fought, but struggled to execute at times. The Saluki errors proved critical as Saint Louis took the fifth set 15-9. The victory in the fifth set gave them the match victory by a score of 3-2.

Head Coach Brittany Harry said, "Really proud of the fight. We didn't even have 24 hours after last night's match with Merrimack to bounce back. We knew that Saint Louis was probably going to adjust blocking schemes to take our right side attack out of the match - which they did. Kenzie had a really nice match though, on the outside to counterattack that. We also weren't as aggressive defensively. Jill didn't have as many digs as she did yesterday - and we felt it. When Jill digs balls for us in transition and gives us second-chance opportunities, we are really successful. Overall, a 2-1 weekend is something we can be proud of. Today was a good match to prepare us for the invitation at Iowa later this week."

SALUKI STATISTIC LEADERS
Kills: McKenzie Moeller, 13
Aces: McKenzie Moeller, 2
Blocks: Beatriz Piaia, 4
Assists: Ella McFarland, 21
Digs: Jillian Shaneyfelt, 15

UP NEXT
The Salukis head to Coralville, Iowa for the Iowa Hawkeye Invitational. They will take on Big 10 member Iowa on Thursday at 6pm. Following that match, they will play Incarnate Word and former Missouri Valley Conference member Missouri State on Friday, September 11.

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.