Despite losing two close matches this weekend, the SIU volleyball team is still alive for the sixth and final spot in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

The Salukis dropped a key match against No. 11 Wichita State Friday only to lose a five-set heartbreaker to Missouri State Saturday.

Despite the two losses, though, the Salukis are still in the running for the final MVC Tournament spot. With four conference matches remaining, the Salukis sit just a half-game behind Illinois State, who they will play Nov. 21.

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Sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger recorded her 21st career double-double, recording 10 kills to go along with 18 digs, during Friday’s loss.

The Salukis dropped the first two sets before winning the third set 25-22. But SIU wasn’t able to keep the momentum as Wichita State won the fourth set to take the match.

Berwanger said she thought the team could have played better against the Shockers.

‘I don’t think we played our best game,’ Berwanger said. ‘I definitely think we could have stepped it up a little bit.’

Senior right side hitter Kristie Berwanger also had a big match for the Salukis, recording 10 kills while tying for the team lead with a .429 hitting percentage.

Coach Brenda Winkeler said WSU senior libero Kelly Broussard, who recorded 27 digs in the Shockers’ win, was the difference maker in the Salukis loss.

‘A lot of people would say she’s the best libero in the league,’ Winkeler said. ‘She covers a lot of ground. Even if you think you have a ball down, she’s able to get it.’

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Senior setter Brooklyn Robbins joined Jennifer Berwanger in the double-double category and recorded the 27th of her career with 34 assists and 12 digs.

The Salukis’ struggles then continued the next night against Missouri State.

SIU lost its second five-set match in as many weeks as the Bears bounced back to win the final three sets after SIU jumped out to a 2-0 advantage.

Winkeler said SIU was too nervous in the second half and as a result, coughed up the lead.

‘I think we got timid,’ Winkeler said. ‘We weren’t serving as aggressive. The first set we had 20 kills, and if you look at sets three and four we had 10 and nine kills. Offensively, we got timid and that gave the other team easy balls.’

With the match tied 2-2, Missouri State won the fifth set 15-12 to take their second victory of the season over SIU.

Jennifer Berwanger led the team with 23 kills and 24 digs, recording her 22nd career double-double.

Robbins and junior outside hitter Kelsie Laughlin also joined the double-double club with 50 assists and 14 digs, and 25 digs and 13 kills, respectively.

Laughlin said she was confident going up against Missouri State because of their first meeting.

‘I played good against them the last time I played them, so I was ready going in,’ Laughlin said. ‘I just tried to go in and do my part.’

SIU has just four games remaining on its schedule and will return to action next weekend when the team hosts Creighton and Drake.

Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 282 or [email protected]