The SIU volleyball team has little room for error in its final homestand this season.

A weekend series against the fourth-ranked MVC team, Northern Iowa, and No. 9 Bradley should be crucial for SIU (13-13, 5-9) as it sits tied for the sixth and final spot to qualify for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Springfield, Mo., on Nov. 23.

The Salukis – who haven’t qualified for the MVC tournament since 2002 – have an identical conference record as Evansville, who takes on Northern Iowa and Bradley on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

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In their first meetings against the two teams this season, the Salukis came away even, dropping a game to Northern Iowa in straight sets Oct. 12 and sweeping Bradley on Oct. 13.

The Salukis will face a struggling Bradley team that has only won two conference matches all season. Both came against Indiana State, which hasn’t won a conference match all season.

Senior outside hitter Nikki Pierzchala leads the Braves (3-24, 2-12) with 3 kills per game and sophomore outside hitter Kaitlyn Comiskey provides a solid defensive attack with 4.5 digs per game.

Junior setter Brooklyn Robbins said the SIU squad has focused on not underestimating opponents with losing records, such as Bradley.

“We come in with equal mentality and we’re just going to work hard,” Robbins said. “I think this weekend we can come out with some wins.”

The Salukis will face Northern Iowa (17-9, 11-3) Saturday, which is two spots ahead in the MVC standings and also leads the league in hitting percentage, assist, blocks and kills.

Junior middle blocker Ashten Stelken leads the team in kills with 3.67 per game and freshman defensive specialist Ellie Blankenship records 5.41 digs per game.

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Winkeler said the Salukis need the consistency created by having junior right side Kristie Berwanger back after a month-long sickness to upset Northern Iowa.

“We’re going to have to play a balanced game. We’re going to need for everyone to be on,” Winkeler said. “If we have all six of our players on that night we’ll have a better chance of beating them.”

Sophomore middle blocker Chandra Roberson said the team has struggled this season, but she is confident the Salukis can pull off the upset of Northern Iowa.

“We’ve improved so much since the beginning of the season,” Roberson said. “We had our rough spot in the middle but we’re getting back to it and I just expect to work hard and play our best.”

The Salukis will also honor seniors Kari Buelhorn and Trisha Kamphius on Saturday who were both junior college transfers when they joined the team.

While neither player is in the starting lineup, Winkeler said their ability to come in to practice and work hard every day without hesitation has been a valuable asset for the Salukis.

Roberson said the pair has been influential to her because of their work ethic on the floor and their dedication to the team without being in the starting lineup.

The Salukis will close out regular season play on the road Nov. 16 and 17 against Indiana State and Illinois State.

Daily Egyptian reporter Megan Kramper can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 282 or [email protected].