Salukis lose to UNI after having two-set lead
February 22, 2021
The SIU Salukis volleyball team (2-8,1-7 MVC) took the first two sets against the Northern Iowa Panthers (5-6,5-3 MVC), but weren’t able to close it out after very competitive third and fourth sets. Northern Iowa then won the fifth set to 15 to close out the win.
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The Salukis were led by freshman outside hitter Tatum Tornatta with 12 kills; the Panthers were led by freshman outside hitter Yagmur Cinel with 14 kills.
The Salukis got off to a strong start in the first set as they got out to a 5-2 lead on an error by the Panthers. Though UNI fought back in the set to tie it at 11.
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The Salukis then responded with a 13-6 run to get a 24-16 lead in the set. SIU closed out the set on a kill from freshman middle hitter Imani Hartfield at 25-17.
The second set was another competitive set early on, and the teams were tied at 13 before a 7-1 run capped off with a kill by Tornatta. With a 20-14 lead the Salukis were able to close out the set at 25-19 with a kill from redshirt senior opposite hitter Emma Baalman.
The Salukis led 18-14 with a chance to close out the match in the third set but the Panthers responded tying it up at 19 with a kill from redshirt freshman libero Kaylee Donner.
With the set tied at 24 the Panthers were forced to get set point four times before keeping the match alive with a 29-27 win in the set.
The fourth set once again saw the panthers nearly avoid defeat as they were tied at 22 before UNI went on a 4-1 run to force a fifth set. The Panthers closed out the fourth set on a service ace by freshman setter Tayler Alden.
In the fifth and decisive set, the Panthers opened up a 13-9 lead behind a 5-1 run. The Salukis weren’t ready to go down though as they pushed the score to 14-13.
The Panthers closed the match out on their first chance to win the fifth set 15-13 with a kill by freshman outside hitter Megan Witte.
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The Salukis will look to bounce back next match when they will be in Peoria to take on Bradley University on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.
Sports reporter Ryan Scott can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter @RyanscottDE.
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