Nov. 8, 2008

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team fell to Missouri State in five sets (29-27, 25-16, 19-25, 19-25, 12-15).

The Salukis (15-10, 5-9 MVC) took the first two sets to gain an early 2-0 lead on Missouri State (20-9, 11-4 MVC), but the Bears came back for the win in the third and fourth sets, forcing the two teams into a fifth set. Southern battled for the win, but Missouri State grabbed the win, 15-12, for the match win.

"We played well offensively in the first and second sets," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "Missouri State came back in the third set and made some adjustments."

The Salukis recorded a season-high 99 digs against the Bears. Jennifer Berwanger, Brooklyn Robbins and Kelsie Laughlin all posted double-doubles for SIU, while Marina Medic led the Salukis hitting .375. J. Berwanger posted a team-high 23 kills, and Laughlin led in digs recording a career-high 25. As a team, Southern posted 15.0 blocks, three more than the Bears. Missouri State committed 30 hitting errors, compared to SIU's 22. But Winkeler says hitting errors in the fifth set made a huge difference.

"We made more mistakes in the fifth set," said Winkeler. "We got aced, committed hitting errors, and that cost us the match."

The Salukis will be back in action next weekend as they host Creighton on Friday, Nov. 14 and Drake on Saturday, Nov. 15. Match times are set for 7 p.m. at Davies Gym.