Hard work has finally paid off for SIUC women’s volleyball coach Sonya Locke and her 1995 spiker squad.

For the first time ever, the SIUC women’s volleyball team has earned a berth in the 1995 Missouri Valley Conference tournament. On Friday, SIUC will take on Southwest Missouri State University in the opening round in Normal.

This year’s post-season appearance marks the first time in six years in which the Salukis have earned a tournament berth.

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In 1989, the Salukis, under coach Patti Hagemeyer, tied for third place in the Gateway Conference. Since 1982, the Salukis are 3-8 in post season play.

SMSU finished the 1995 season fourth in the MVC, with a record of 14-6. The Salukis split a pair of matches against the Lady Bears during the regular season, winning the first match at home in Davies Gymnasium, while losing the second match in Springfield, Mo.

Overall, SMSU leads the series with SIUC 18-7. However, SIUC has won three of the last four meetings between the schools.

However, SMSU has the advantage in terms of post season action. In three post season matches, SMSU is 2-1 against the Salukis.

SIUC coach Sonya Locke said SMSU is a tough, talented team, and the Salukis must concentrate on them first, if her squad hopes to advance.

There is no question that Northern Iowa is the team to beat in the tournament, she said. But we have to play SMSU. We have to stay focused on them.

I think advancing to the second round is our main goal. Everything else is icing on the cake. Advancing to the second round will be a great step for the team.

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Should the Salukis advance to the second round, they will then face the conference tournament favorite, Northern Iowa.

UNI finished its season unbeaten in the league, suffering only one non-conference loss all season. The Panthers won both its matches against SIUC during the regular season.

Locke said she feels that right now, SMSU is the same team the Salukis faced in Springfield on Oct. 22.

I can’t say that I know what they look like right now, but its basically the same team, Locke said. We just need to concentrate on our side of the net right now. It doesn’t matter who you play, it’s always tough on the road.

The Saluki squad has been concentrating in practice all week to prepare for the tournament.

We haven’t talked a whole lot about the tournament this week, Locke said. We have been working hard in practice on smoothing out some rough edges and perfecting some of our techniques.

One element of the game that could either make or break the Salukis in the tournament is hitting percentage. The spikers are 14-1 this year when hitting .200 or better, however, when hitting less than .200, SIUC is 2-11.

Unfortunately for the Salukis, they will be without senior outside hitter Beth Diehl.

Diehl, who missed the final three matches of the regular season, had surgery Wednesday to repair torn cartilage in her right shoulder, but is expected to accompany the team to Normal.

Locke said the tournament is going to be more of a mental test, rather than a physical one.

It’s all mental right now, not physical, Locke said. How we go into the tournament mentally will determine how we do, not how we play physically.

Locke said this year’s appearance in the MVC tournament will also provide her younger players with a sense of what it is to get to the post season.

A trip to the tournament gives them great experience in post season play, Locke said. It will also give them good experience in learning how to endure a long season.

Since SIUC loses six seniors at the end of the season, that experience will be welcomed.

Friday’s other matchup features the Salukis’ intrastate rivals Illinois State University against Bradley University. The winner of that match will take on second seeded Drake on Saturday. The championship match will be held Sunday.