Three days after suffering its first loss of the season, Saluki volleyball bounced back Tuesday.

SIU got back into the win column as it defeated Murray State 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-18) in its fourth sweep of the year.

The Dawgs (6-1) were led by senior outside hitter Shannon Hagen, who had a team-high 13 kills, and junior middle hitter Kolby Meeks, who started for the first time this season and posted nine kills.

“My team helped me a lot tonight,” Meeks said. “They have a lot of confidence in me and so do my coaches so that helped me keep focused.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Senior setter Hannah Kaminsky sets the ball for junior middle hitter Kolby Meeks on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, during SIU's 3-0 win against Murray State in Davies Gym. (Autumn Suyko | @AutumnSuyko_DE)

The first set of the night was close early as the Salukis and Racers (3-4) battled to an 18-18 tie before a 7-4 run secured the 25-22 set win for SIU.

Meeks had four kills and a .800 hitting percentage. Fellow junior middle hitter Alex Rosignol had two blocks to pace the Salukis for the first set.

Rosignol said the team was able to achieve success against its local rival because the Racers run a similar system compared to SIU’s practice routine.

Murray took control early in the second set with a 10-5 lead, but SIU was able to take the lead on Rosignol’s back-to-back aces during a 12-6 run and won the set 25-20.

The Salukis had eight total blocks after two sets while Murray State had just two. Overall, SIU outblocked the Racers 11-3.

SIU never trailed to take the final set 25-18.

MORE: SIU volleyball working to reject opponents’ chances

Assistant coach Dean Torgerson said playing in Davies Gymnasium — the normal home of Saluki volleyball — for the first time this season had a big impact on the match.

“Davies is wonderful,” Torgerson said. “We love it because it’s loud and the fact that we practice here gives us just that extra sense of familiarity and comfort.”

SIU plays Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. Friday in Bowling Green, Ky.

Staff writer Jesse Robertson can be reached at [email protected] or 618-536-3333.

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