On Friday the Salukis (5-4)  traveled to Conway, Arkansas to play in the Central Arkansas Invitational. The Salukis’ first match was against Louisiana Tech where they went 3-0 for their third straight win on the season. In this Friday’s match, the Salukis set career highs against the Bulldogs. Freshman, Brinley Burdette put down a career high five kills. Another freshman, Annabelle Salish, set another career high with 14 digs.

 In the first match of the tournament, the Salukis were led by Tatum Tornatta who had 14 kills and two blocks. Nataly Garcia came up with 14 kills, and one ace, followed by Ceci Bulmahn who had eight kills. Overall the team finished with 48 kills and a .274 hitting percentage.

For the second game of the invitational, the Salukis took on Central Arkansas to end day one of the tournament. The Salukis were on top the first two sets but the Sugar Bears rallied back to win the final three sets. Tornatta put down a season-high of 16 kills, Garcia made her second kill-dig double-double of the season with 14 kills and 12 digs, and Imani Hartfield added 12 kills to help the team out. Claudia Bobb set a career-best with two aces and Bailey Neuberger tied her career best of four aces, which were all in the first set. 

To close out the Central Arkansas Invitational the Salukis swept the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks in three sets. The Salukis totaled 45 kills. Garcia led the team with 13 kills. Imani Hartfield came up with nine kills, Nsia Gittens had a career-best .538 hitting percentage and eight kills, and Tatum Tomatta tied her career best with five block touches and seven kills.

The Salukis host the Saluki invitational beginning on September 16 at 10 a.m.. They take on Alabama A&M at 10 a.m., Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m., and Bellarmine University on September 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Sports reporter Joei Younker can be reached at [email protected].

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