Nov. 7, 2007
www.siusalukis.com
Match Facts
Date(s): November 9-10, 2007
Site(s): Davies Gym (1,250)
The Series: SIU leads BU, 28-14
SIU trails UNI, 7-39
Head Coaches: Brenda Winkeler (116-120 overall, 34-48 at SIU)
Scott Luster (582-411 overall, 134-160 at BU)
Bobbi Petersen (198-59 overall and at UNI)
Radio: WIDB.net - The Remedy
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
The Salukis return home for the final home weekend of regular season play hosting Bradley Friday at 7 p.m. and UNI Saturday at 5 p.m. Saturday's admission is $1 with a ticket stub from the SIU/Illinois State football game Saturday afternoon.
SERIES HISTORY
The Salukis own the series with the Braves 28-14, taking the last four meetings. SIU has lost 30 straight to the Panthers, their last win against UNI in 1993.
BEST SEASON START SINCE 1985
For the first time since 1985, the Southern Illinois volleyball team started 10-4, 14 games into the season. The Salukis swept two of three tournaments to start the season.
SCOUTING BRADLEY
The Braves are 3-24 on the season and 2-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference under 10th-year head coach Scott Luster. BU is led by Nikki Pierzchala averaging 3.00 kills and 2.38 digs per game. Jenna Harrison averages 2.20 kills and 0.80 blocks per game, hitting a team-high .246 on the season. Sam Black averages 7.61 assists per game, while Kaitlyn Comiskey chips in 4.50 digs per game.
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
The Panthers are 17-9 on the season and 11-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference under eighth-year head coach Bobbie Petersen. UNI is led by Ashten Stelken who is top-five in the MVC in kills, hitting percentage and blocking averaging 3.67 kills and 1.52 blocks per game, hitting .352 on the season. Laura Rowen is averaging 3.05 kills and 3.47 digs, while Danielle Brazda averages 1.49 blocks per game. Kristin Belzung averages 12.62 assists per game, and Ellie Blankenship chips in 5.41 digs per game.
SALUKIS FIGHT FOR TOURNEY
The Southern Illinois volleyball team is even at 5-9 in Valley play with Evansville, fighting for the final spot in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Nov. 23-24. The Salukis have four matches remaining at home against Bradley and UNI this weekend and then on the road at Indiana State and Illinois State the final weekend of regular season play. SIU could be making their first appearance since 2002 where they finished second.
MEDIC IN TOP-10
Marina Medic has recorded 96 block assists entering the top-10 for block assists in a season. She currently ranks eighth with four matches left in the regular season.
Block Assists in a Season
1. Sonya Locke (1981) 191
2. Sonya Locke (1982) 1440
3. Dana Olden (1991) 112
4. Pat Nicholson (1985) 111
5. Chandra Roberson (2006) 105
6. Monique Galvin (1998) 104
7. Pat Nicholson (1984) 102
8. Stacy Snook (1992) 97
9. Marina Medic (2007) 96
10. Laura Pier (1998) 95
SALUKI BLOCK
The Southern Illinois volleyball team averages 2.75 blocks per game, the best average in school history. In 1992, the Salukis averaged 2.73, the highest average until this season. Southern has out-blocked their opponents in 18 of 26 matches this season.
ROBERSON STEPS UP
Sophomore middle blocker Chandra Roberson has stepped up to average 2.86 kills and 1.10 blocks per game, while hitting a team-high .315 this season. As a freshman, Roberson started every game and every match for the Salukis leading the team in blocks. The sophomore is on her way to the career list for block assists after placing herself on the single season list a year ago.
SALUKIS ARE MEDIC - AIDED
Over the last year, Saluki middle blocker Marina Medic has added three inches to her vertical and gone from a utility back-up to one of the top middles in the league, 13th in The Valley in hitting percentage at .285, third in blocks (1.21 bpg). The sophomore was named the MVP of two tournaments this season, hitting over .300 in 13 of 26 matches this season.
BERWANGER BACK
After being out six matches with illness, Saluki right side hitter Kristie Berwanger returned for weekend play against Missouri State and Wichita State over the weekend. She averaged 2.25 kills, 2.75 digs and 1.00 blocks per game her first weekend back.
2007 TEAM SURPASSES WIN MARK
The Southern Illinois volleyball team swept Bradley Oct. 13 to record their 12th win of the year. They surpassed last season's win total (11), recording the most wins in a season since the 2002 (23) team.
ELSWICK IS TOP DIGGING DAWG
Saluki libero Kristy Elswick recorded 19 digs in a four-game victory over Drake (Oct. 5) to put her at 1,356 career digs, surpassing former Saluki great Kristie Kemner (1,355) for the all-time dig mark at Southern Illinois. The junior also holds the single-season dig mark, recording 569 digs in 2006. With 10 digs against Bradley (Oct. 13) she brought her career total to 1,409. Her current mark of 354 digs this year is one dig shy of the top-10 list for digs in a season, already ranked first and third in 2006 and 2005 respectively.
Digs in a Season
1. Kristy Elswick (2006) 569
2. Kristie Kemner (2002) 503
3. Kristy Elswick (2005) 481
4. Lori Simpson (1991) 476
5. Erica Miller (2004) 462
6. Kristy Elswick (2007) 409
7. Joan Wallenberg (1987) 390
8. Jodi Miller (1991) 367
9. Dawn Thompson (1987) 366
10. Sue Sinclair (1985) 356
Digs in a Career
1. Kristy Elswick (2005-pr.) 1459
2. Kristie Kemner (1999-02) 1355
3. Debbie Barr (1996-99) 1113
4. Mary Maxwell (1980-83) 1077
SINGLE-MATCH ATTENDANCE RECORD BROKEN
Friday, Sept. 14, Southern held a "Pack the Gym" night in hopes of setting a new attendance record in Davies Gym at the Missouri Valley Conference opener against Illinois State. Davies was filled with 713 fans, breaking the previous record of 668 set November 9, 1990 against UNI.
THREE MAKE ALL-TOURNAMENT...AGAIN
Sophomore middle blocker Marina Medic was named the Most Valuable Player, while sophomore outside hitter Kelsie Laughlin and junior setter Brooklyn Robbins were also named to the team at the 2007 MSU Comfort Inn and Suites Invitational Aug. 24-25... two weeks later, Medic (MVP) and Robbins were repeats on the 28th Saluki Invitational All-Tournament team joined by Kristie Berwanger.
PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON VALLEY COACHES POLL
The Southern Illinois volleyball team was picked sixth in the 2007 MVC preseason coaches poll for the second-straight season. The Salukis finished with 39 points. Southern finished tied for sixth a year ago, even with Evansville, who nipped the Salukis and took the sixth spot in the tournament. Defending regular season and tournament champion Northern Iowa was picked to win with 97 points and seven first-place votes.
Salukis Seeing Double
Right side hitter Kristie Berwanger currently leads the team with 13 career double-doubles including three in a row Sept. 7-8 at the 28th Saluki Invitational. Brooklyn Robbins is second on the team with nine double-doubles and Kelsie Laughlin is third with eight. Former Saluki setter Holly Marita recorded the last triple-double in program history in 2003 against Iowa (10 kills, 51 assists, 12 digs)
2007 Saluki Double-Doubles
Player (number) Last Double-Double
Jennifer Berwanger (6) Creighton • 11-2-07 (13 kills, 13 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (9) Missouri State • 10-27-07 (43 assists, 17 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (8) Wichita State • 10-26-07 (50 assists, 14 digs)
Kelsie Laughlin (8) Bradley • 10-13-07 (11 assists, 14 digs)
Erika Bartruff (4) SEMO • 10-9-07 (44 assists, 10 digs)
Jennifer Berwanger (5) SEMO • 10-9-07 (14 kills, 12 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (7) Drake • 10-5-07 (34 assists, 14 digs)
Jennifer Berwanger (4) Drake • 10-5-07 (11 kills, 13 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (6) Missouri State • 9-28-07 (51 assists, 13 digs)
Kristie Berwanger (13) Missouri State • 9-28-07 (12 kills, 17 digs)
Kelsie Laughlin (7) Missouri State • 9-28-07 (11 assists, 11 digs)
Jennifer Berwanger (3) Evansville • 9-21-07 (14 kills, 12 digs)
Jennifer Berwanger (2) Indiana State • 9-15-07 (10 kills, 12 digs)
Kristie Berwanger (12) Illinois State • 9-14-07 (11 kills, 14 digs)
Kelsie Laughlin (6) Murray State • 9-8-07 (12 assists, 14 digs)
Kristie Berwanger (11) Murray State • 9-8-07 (17 kills, 21 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (5) Murray State • 9-8-07 (60 assists, 17 digs)
Kristie Berwanger (10) UMKC • 9-8-07 (18 kills, 20 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (4) UMKC • 9-8-07 (42 assists, 13 digs)
Kristie Berwanger (9) Cleveland State • 9-7-07 (18 kills, 11 digs)
Kelsie Laughlin (5) at William & Mary • 9-1-07 (18 kills, 12 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (3) vs. Kent State • 8-31-07 (34 assists, 11 digs)
Jennifer Berwanger (1) vs. Eastern Kentucky • 8-25-07 (10 kills, 14 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (2) at Morehead State • 8-25-07 (44 assists, 12 digs)
Kelsie Laughlin (4) vs. West Virginia • 8-24-07 (18 kills, 10 digs)
Brooklyn Robbins (1) vs. West Virginia • 8-24-07 (34 assists, 15 digs)
FACES IN 2007 CLASS
The Southern Illinois volleyball team adds four new faces to the team in 2007, including three freshmen. Brooklyn Robbins is the lone junior college transfer, a setter from Parkland Community College where she was a two-time All-American. Sydney Clark is a freshman outside hitter from Evanston, Ill. Jasmine Conner, a middle blocker from Flossmoor, Ill., and Paris Leonce, a right side hitter from Powder Springs, Ga., are also new additions to the 2007 squad.
SALUKIS STRIVE IN THE CLASSROOM
For the second-straight season, the Saluki volleyball team was awarded the GamePlan/AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2006-2007 season. Three Southern Illinois volleyball players (Kristie Berwanger, Kristy Elswick and Johannah Yutzy) were recognized as Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes for 2006 by a vote of the league's sports information directors. All were named honorable mention all-academic. Berwanger and Yutzy also went on to be named to CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five third team.
ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Media, student-athletes and fans can access the most up-to-date information pertaining to Saluki Volleyball by visiting www.siusalukis.com. Features of the site include player and coach profiles, statistics, schedules, rosters and press releases.
