SIU volleyball continues undefeated start with win against Western Michigan
Junior middle hitter Alex Rosignol jumps to block the ball Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, during SIU’s 3-0 win over Western Michigan at SIU Arena. (Athena Chrysanthou | @Chrysant1Athena)
September 3, 2016
Saluki volleyball continued its undefeated start to the season by defeating Western Michigan 3-0 in SIU’s second match of the Saluki Invitational.
The Dawgs notched their fifth straight win to continue their best start since 2009, when they started 11-0.
Senior setter Meg Viggars had 12.5 points to lead the team and junior middle hitter Alex Rosignol was second for the Salukis with 9.5.
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The first set was all SIU as they jumped to a 10-2 lead and never trailed to take the first set 25-19. Viggars had two kills to go with five assists and junior outside hitter Andrea Estrada had four kills and four digs.
The Salukis and Broncos were very close statistically in all categories the first set with the edge going to SIU’s 30.6 hitting percentage topping Western Michigan’s 26.7.
SIU continued their hot start in the second set by ramping up the defense with four blocks and holding Western Michigan to just 8.6 percent hitting, winning 25-19.
Viggars continued to pace the Salukis while notching an ace to go with four kills and four assists, sporting a .800 hitting percentage in the second set.
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Rosignol had three kills in three total attacks during the set and senior middle hitter McKenzie Dorris notched four blocks and three kills through the first two sets.
Despite her solid game, Viggars was quick to deflect praise.
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“I was just getting good sets from [senior setter] Hannah [Kaminsky] and that helped get into a really good rhythm,” she said.
The third set was a much more closely contested battle between the two teams early as they exchanged points until the Salukis took a 10-8 lead. The team never trailed the rest of the set, winning 25-20.
Viggars notched her second ace of the day while adding three kills and three assists. Rosignol added a kill and a block and junior outside hitter Andrea Estrada had six digs in the set.
Rosignol said the team’s preparation was key to closing out the match.
“We were going all out that last set,” she said. “We knew from scouting that the outside hitters were going to be one on one and that helped me get my points in.”
With a late five set match win against Central Florida to open the tournament Friday, it would have been understandable for the Salukis to have fatigue. But assistant coach Dean Torgerson, who filled in for head coach Justin Ingram who is suffering from an illness, wasn’t worried.
“We have a veteran group, so it was all about preparing the way we wanted to prepare and to come out ready to play the game we were ready to play,” Torgerson said.
It was SIU’s third sweep of the year with the other two coming against Central Michigan and Duquesne.
The Dawgs play the final game of the Saluki Invitational at 7 p.m. Saturday against Northern Arizona at SIU Arena.
Check back with DailyEgyptian.com for results and photographs from that game.
Staff writer Jesse Robertson can be reached at [email protected] or 618-536-3333.
To stay up to date with all your SIU sports news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.
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