Nov. 14, 2007

www.siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois volleyball inks one during the early signing period for 2008 Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler announced Wednesday.

The Salukis add 6-0 setter and right side hitter Amanda Arnold from Toledo, Ohio, to the team for 2008. The Salukis return all six starters and libero for next season, losing two senior defensive specialists at the end of the 2007 season.

Arnold, currently a senior at Central Catholic, recently helped guide her team to a Division II State Championship. In the championship match, she recorded a triple-double with 22 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs. As a junior, she was named special mention All-City. This season Arnold was named second team All-City, first team All-District 7, All-Ohio Honorable Mention and was a recipient of the City League Academic Award.

"Amanda is a very versatile player that can compete at the setting position as well as the right side," Winkeler said. "She is a player that physically has a tremendous amount of potential and has played on a very good high school team. We are excited to add Amanda to the Saluki Volleyball Family."

Under Winkeler, the Salukis have posted their best records since 2002 and reached the SIU and MVC record books in several categories. In 2005, SIU garnered the first All-MVC first-team honoree since 2002. This season, Winkeler and her staff have guided the Salukis to third in the league in blocks, posting the best team blocking numbers since the stat has been kept at SIU.

Southern returns to action Friday, Nov. 16 at Indiana State. The Salukis are fighting for the final spot in the conference tournament, which is set for Nov. 23-24.