By: Howard Woodard
SIU women’s volleyball (9-9) split their two games this past weekend against Valparaiso and UIC. On Friday against the Beacons, the Salukis put a halt to their four-game losing streak with a win in four sets. The Dawgs were in control of this one for two sets, winning both by a score of 25-18. But Valpo switched momentum in the third set, dominating it with a 25-15 win and carried it into the fourth set as they tried to even up the match. But Annabelle Sulish put an end to Valpo’s comeback attempt with a kill to put the Beacons away 25-23. It was a big day for SIU’s outside hitter as she tallied 19 kills, eight digs, and five blocks in the victory. Kelly Franklin was second on the team with 14 kills. Larissa Seger added six blocks and eight kills to the team’s great energy and showing at the net, as the Salukis’ middle defense put together one of its best performances of the season so far. It seems Ema Stermenska is transitioning into the Dawg’s starting setter as she put a double-double with 25 assists and 14 digs in this one. SIU was then swept on Saturday evening as the Flames continued their strong season. UIC had complete control of the first two sets, with the Salukis scoring just 15 and 16 points in them, respectively. The Dawgs fought in the third set as Cecilia Bulmahn had an eye-opening seven aces, totaling many of them during a run where the Salukis began to separate in the set. A controversial play where a kill attempt ruled on the floor as out of bounds play went to review. The scoring was overturned as a tipped block that landed out of bounds even though the ball didn’t appear to hit any of the Salukis’ fingertips. It clearly swung the momentum as UIC scored six of the next seven points to seal their victory with a 25-22 score. Sulish led the Dawgs again in kills, but was the only player to reach double digits with 10. Stermenska and Anna Jaworski had 13 and 12 kills, respectively. The Dawgs will be back out on the road to play two favorable conference matchups this weekend in Indiana. First, they will face off against Evansville (2-15,1-5) on Friday night at 6 pm before playing Indiana State (3-15, 0-6) on Saturday at 4 pm.
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