The SIU volleyball team (5-3) traveled to Tulsa, Okla., this weekend to participate in the University of Tulsa Invitational. 

SIU lost in three sets (22-25, 23-25, 19-25) against Arkansas State (7-1), then won its second match in five sets (25-16, 19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-10) against Stephen F. Austin (6-4).

Arkansas State is coach Justin Ingram’s former team. 

“Being able to lace up against a former team is just part of the business” Ingram said. “[Arkansas State] played well tonight and we just weren’t able to keep up.”

SIU posted a .110 attack percentage against Arkansas State and a .266 attack percentage against SF Austin.

Senior Taylor Pippen tallied a match-high 22 kills on 41 attempts against SF Austin after only seven kills against Arkansas State.

 “I want to keep the efficiency up even more,” Pippen said. “I hit for a high efficiency last season but I always want to improve.” 

The Salukis play Tulsa at 1 p.m. Saturday to finish the invitational. 

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