SIU earns win in first home match

Senior+middle+hitter+Taylor+Pippen+jumps+to+hit+the+ball+Sept.+5+during+the+Salukis+3-1+loss+to+Western+Kentucky+during+the+2015+Saluki+Invitational+at+SIU+Arena.%C2%A0%28DailyEgyptian.com+file+photo%29

Senior middle hitter Taylor Pippen jumps to hit the ball Sept. 5 during the Salukis’ 3-1 loss to Western Kentucky during the 2015 Saluki Invitational at SIU Arena. (DailyEgyptian.com file photo)

By Evan Jones, @EvanJones_DE

Saluki volleyball (3-1) earned a 3-1 win in the Saluki Invitational (25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23) against Dayton (0-4) on Friday night.

Sophomore outside hitter Andrea Estrada had 18 kills — a career high — and the final three kills for the Salukis to finish the match.

“At one point I told [sophomore hitter and setter Meg Viggars] — if you give me the ball I’m going to kill it,” Estrada said.

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Controlling most of the match, SIU was able to notch its second win of against opponents who qualified for the NCAA tournament last season.

“We’re better this year — we’re playing more systematic our distribution is better, and we’re more confident,” coach Justin Ingram said. “I don’t think this team is fazed by much, they just keep playing.”

SIUC had three players with 10 or more kills. The depth of the hitters was on display.

Sophomore hitter Abby Barrow was a consistent hitter for the Saluki front line, averaging three and a half kills per set.

“I try to bring a lot of energy,” Barrow said. “Since I’m on the bench I try to let them know what I’m seeing when I get out there.”

Viggars filled up the stat sheet with a .500 attack percentage with 11 kills, 22 assists and 13 digs.

The SIU volleyball team finishes their invitational tomorrow with games against Western Kentucky and Tennessee-Martin.

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Evan Jones can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EvanJones_DE

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