Box Score

CARBONDALE, ILL.-- The 16-6 University of Evansville volleyball team lost a five-set heartbreaker to Southern Illinois tonight. The Salukis came back from a 2-1 Aces lead to beat UE with final set scores of 26-24, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21 and 15-8.

“Offensively we did a lot of things right,” said head coach Mike Swan. “It all came down to our blocking this game. SIU’s outside hitters were just destroying us and we couldn’t make the adjustment to stop them.

“We just didn’t take care of business and it’s really a disappointing outcome,” Swan added. “Next weekend we will be tested on how tough we are and hopefully we can turn this losing streak around.”

Freshman Katie Klages collected a season-high 31 digs in the effort while junior Brooke Maher recorded her 12th double-double of the year with 21 kills and 11 digs. Junior Ellen Sawin dished out 58 assists on the night, moving her into sixth place for career assists in UE record books.

Playing point-for-point throughout the entire set, game one was tied 12 times before the score stood at 24-all. Maher tallied six kills and hit .357 for the set, but the Aces fell just short of taking the first win. The Salukis were able to string two points together to win game one 26-24.

The Aces came back from a 0-3 deficit to take a 10-7 lead over the Salukis. SIU managed to tie the score at 18-all, but the Aces were able to hold them off and secure the 25-21 win.

The Aces took the momentum into set three and jumped ahead to an early 10-4 lead. UE coasted as the lead moved to a 20-14 score, but the Salukis were able to bring the game within one point as the Aces led 24-23. A kill by sophomore Hannah Wilson stopped the Saluki rally and gave UE the 25-23 victory.

UE found itself down five points as the Salukis opened the fourth set with a 10-5 lead. Able to tie the score at 13-all, the Aces couldn’t take the offensive advantage, and the Salukis ran the score to 24-21. Evansville hit .342 as a team, but the effort wasn’t enough as the Salukis ended the set with a final score of 25-21.

The final game opened with a 9-4 Saluki lead. UE rallied to bring the score within two points at 9-7, but Jessica Whitehead downed four consecutive kills to power the Saluki offense. The Aces couldn’t catch up to the lead, and SIU took the match with a 15-8 victory.

The Aces return to Carson Center next weekend as they host Bradley and Northern Iowa.

 

*Photo courtesy of Grant Wickes