Saluki volleyball sweeps Illinois State

Andrea Estrada, an outside hitter, digs the ball during a match against Illinois State on Nov. 13 in Davies Gym. (DailyEgyptian.com file photo)

By Ted Ward, @TedWard_DE

SIU volleyball (21-7, 12-3) was in action Friday night and came away with a fast victory against Illinois State (20-9, 10-6) sweeping the match in three sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-22).

Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Andrea Estrada led the match with 24 kills and led SIU with a .404 attack percentage. Junior setter Meg Viggars had a season-high 42 assists and finished with 11 digs.

SIU coach Justin Ingram was satisfied in his team’s overall performance and how they dictated the pace of the game.

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“The speed of the offense was difficult for Illinois State to defend specifically when their setter was in the front row and Meg [Viggars] did a nice job of finding the open attacker throughout the game,” Ingram said.

In the previous matchup on Illinois State’s home court in Bloomington, the Salukis fell to the Redbirds in five sets.

Sophomore outside hitter Nellie Fredriksson said they used that game as motivation and had something to prove in the rematch.

“They beat us in a close game earlier in the year at their place so we wanted a little revenge for that happening so this victory feels really good,” Fredriksson said.

The Salukis front line combined for a total of 12 blocks with senior middle hitter Taylor Pippen leading the way with five.

With junior setter Hannah Kaminsky out sick, Fredriksson filled in at server and committed only one error the entire game.

“Hannah is a great server and I by no means was looking to take her spot,” Fredriksson said. “I was very nervous since I had rarely been asked to serve this season so it was a new experience for me.”

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SIU will play its final home match on Saturday against Indiana State which will be Senior Night and Pippen’s final home match as a Saluki.

She will receive recognition. 

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TedWard_DE

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