Saluki Volleyball sweeps Missouri State

The+team+reacts+to+scoring+play+by+MacKenzie+Houser+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

The team reacts to scoring play by MacKenzie Houser 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 Salukis hosted the Mo. State Bears to extend their win streak to a total of five. The Dawgs are currently tied for second in the Missouri Valley Conference and have eyes on the conference tournament.

Southern Illinois got off to a slow in the first set after getting down 0-4. Freshman outside hitter Kelly Franklin helped the Dawgs with three aces in both the first and second sets. 

In the third set, the last four points of the match were scored consecutively but junior outside hitter Tatum Tornatta, with a combination of three aces and one kill.

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The Salukis were led by sophomore setter, Anna Jaworski who leads the Valley in assists-per-set average coming out with 46. Senior outside hitter Nataly Garcia ended the match with double-digit kills with 14.

Freshman key player consistency continues for Southern Illinois volleyball with Claudia Bobb’s 20 digs and Annabelle Sulish’s 11 kills. 

Garcia had two aces and 14 kills, junior Tatum Tornatta had 13 kills, one ace, and one block, and junior Imani Hartfield had eight kills and one block.

Southern Illinois hosts IUC Friday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. with hopes to grow their winning streak.

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

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