Nov. 6, 2009

By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team fell in Missouri Valley Conference play at home to Wichita State, 29-27, 25-16, 25-20, Friday night in Davies Gym.

The third-place Shockers (19-4, 10-3 MVC) hit an even .250, out-digging the Salukis (17-8, 6-8 MVC) 71-to-58 in the three-set match.

The Salukis put up their biggest fight in the first set, hitting .383 with zero errors. After tying the match at 20-all, SIU traded points with WSU before the Shockers got the 29-27 win on an Emily Stockman kill. The reigning MVC Player of the Week finished with a match-high 12 kills and 19 digs.

"We had zero hitting errors in the first set, but they had a few more kills to edge us," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "I thought overall in the match we needed to serve more aggressive. They are a good team if they can pass the first ball in a position where they can use all three attackers."

The Shockers hit .310 in the second set with just three attack errors for the 25-16 victory, before taking the third and final set, 25-20. The Salukis recorded 11 of their 17 attack errors in the final set, hitting -.019.

Right side Alicia Johnson led the Salukis with 10 kills and 18 digs, adding two block assists, while middle blocker Chandra Roberson hit a team-best .409 with 10 kills and just one error in 22 attempts.

Setter Rachael Brown, the reigning MVC Freshman of the Week, recorded 28 assists and nine digs.

For the Shockers, Kim Wadsworth came off the bench for 12 kills. WSU libero Melissa Granville pitched in 17 digs and setter Mary Elizabeth Hooper added 42 assists.

The Salukis wrap up home play Saturday night when they host second-place Missouri State at 7 p.m. Seniors Caitlin Dugger, Kelsie Laughlin, Marina Medic and Chandra Roberson will be honored prior to their final home match of the regular season.