After getting off to a hot start in conference play, SIU volleyball looked to kick off Family Weekend by continuing its four-game win streak with a match against the Indiana State Sycamores on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
The Salukis and the Sycamores played evenly to begin the first set, alternating kills into a knot at 4-4. Indiana State’s offense then clicked together and jumped out to a commanding 7-point lead, leaving the Salukis with the tall order of coming back. SIU’s offense refused to quit as they started mashing the ball, bringing the set score within 1 point. However, the persistent attacking and well-rounded Sycamore defense was enough to take the set by a score of 25-22.
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The second set of the contest began with an impressive 5-0 SIU lead, powered by two Kelly Franklin kills. The Sycamores charged back to tie the game at 9 points apiece. The two teams continued to battle, bringing the match into a tie in the late stages, when Indiana State broke through to take the set 26-24 after myriad SIU attack and service errors.
The third set of the match was underway, and SIU was not ready to give up. Three blocks, an ace and a plethora of kills powered the Salukis to a dominant 18-10 lead. The Dawgs never looked back, taking the set 25-17.
The Salukis, in a make-or-break third set, put on an offensive clinic, with a whopping 18 kills, 7 from middle blocker Larissa Seger, and 6 from outside hitter Kelly Franklin.
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The fourth set kicked off with an early 6-point Indiana State lead, and the Sycamores had their sights set on a victory. The Salukis were not going to go down without a fight, and it showed with impressive digs from Jillian Shaneyfelt and kills from Cecilia Bulmahn. Although SIU tied the set at 19-19, the strong Sycamore offense took hold, and Indiana State secured the set by a score of 25-23, ultimately winning the overall match 3-1.
The intense conference matchup between the Salukis and the Sycamores concludes in favor of Indiana State, leaving SIU with a conference record of 2-1 and an overall record of 8-8. SIU looks to get back in the win column on Saturday, Oct. 4 with a match against Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sports Reporter Noah Petschke can be reached at [email protected].
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