Rivals cannot be counted out until it’s all said and done.

The Saluki volleyball team (7-6, 1-0) started conference play with a win against University of Evansville (4-9, 0-1) in four sets. It also defeated Midwest non-conference rival Southeast Missouri State University (4-9) in five sets during the weekend.

SIU hosted Evansville in Davies Gym on Friday. The Dawgs dominated the first set 25-9, but the Purple Aces did not give up. Coach Justin Ingram said Evansville is a scrappy team.

“I think as the match went along we were less smooth, perhaps, than where we should be at this point,” Ingram said.

Evansville won the third set 25-17.

“I think coming out we didn’t push as strong,” junior hitter Taylor Pippen said. “Evansville was siding out a lot better than the past two games.”

Pippen led the team with 14 kills and a .778 hitting percentage, the ninth highest in Saluki history.

“We needed to set her more,” Ingram said. “I think we could have given her at least 20 more attempts and kind of let her efficiency go down a little bit, but gain more kills. She was red-hot.”

Freshman outside hitter Abby Barrow recorded 13 kills and said the fans boosted the team’s morale to victory.

“This kind of reminds me of high school because the fans are right on top of you,” Barrow said. “From the get go it was really fun.”

SIU took a 2-0 lead again, but SEMO tied it to force a fifth set. Ingram said SEMO was also scrappy. He said the team didn’t get too comfortable, but did lose focus.

“We just weren’t paying attention for long enough spans,” Ingram said. “SEMO is scrappy.”

The Salukis controlled the fifth set to win 15-10 and the match.

Pippen led the team with 22 kills and a .486 hitting percentage.

SEMO won last season’s match in five sets at the K-State Invitational. Ingram said it was a different Saluki team and sophomore setter Hannah Kaminsky didn’t go because she was sick.

The Salukis extended their winning streak to four matches.

The Salukis play Illinois State University 7 p.m., Friday in Normal; and Indiana State University 6 p.m., Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind.

Aaron Graff can be contacted at [email protected], on Twitter @Aarongraff_DE or 536-3311 ext. 269