SIU Volleyball sweeps Murray State for fourth win in a row

Margherita+Giani%2C+left%2C+goes+up+with+fellow+teammate+Nsia+Gittens%2C+right%2C+for+block+attempt+during+the+Salukis+3-0+win+over+the+University+of+South+Carolina+-+Upstate+on+Friday%2C+Sept.+10%2C+2021+during+the+Saluki+Invitational+at+the+Banterra+Center+at+SIU.+

Jared Treece | @bisalo

Margherita Giani, left, goes up with fellow teammate Nsia Gittens, right, for block attempt during the Salukis 3-0 win over the University of South Carolina – Upstate on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 during the Saluki Invitational at the Banterra Center at SIU.

The SIU Volleyball (13-7, 6-2 MVC) hosted game two of their five-game homestand Saturday evening in Davies Gym. The Dawgs hosted Murray State (7-12, 3-6 MVC) and cruised to their sixth conference win of the year in three sets. The Dawgs are now in the midst of their longest win streak in 6 years.

The Dawg’s offense was highlighted by freshman Annabelle Sulish, responsible for 14.5 of SIU’s points, and senior Nataly Garcia, who tallied 13 total kills for SIU to lead the Salukis. Sophomore Anna Jaworski helped in a couple of other assets including 38 assists and five service aces.

As for the defensive side of the game, freshman Claudia Bobb led with 13 digs, while junior Tatum Tornatta led with three blocks.

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Set one was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than three points up until the Dawgs 4-1 run to take a 20-16 lead late. SIU would close it out with some service aces and some helpful errors by the Racers to win set one with a 25-20 final score.

Set two was another battle for the start, up until the Salukis marched to an eight-point run late to go up 22-10. The Racers would go on a smaller run of their own of 7-1, to make it competitive again, but it was still too little too late as a kill by junior Imani Hartfield sealed the deal for SIU to go up 2-0.

Set three, went more toward the dawgs way to start, with SIU going up 10-6 quickly. They never let go of that lead as they marched onto a big set three win with a 25-21 score as the Dawgs would sweep the Racers 3-0.

The Salukis will look to make it five wins in a row on Monday when they host game three of their five-game homestand against Missouri State (6-14, 3-5 MVC) with a 6 pm start time.

Sports editor Joseph Bernard can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Jojobernard2001. 

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