SIU volleyball lost its first match of the tournament against the Central Michigan University Chippewas in 3 straight sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-22).

The Salukis came into their first match of the Notre Dame Invitational against the Chippewas looking to set the tone for the tournament. Friday’s contest was only the second time Southern has faced CMU, sweeping them in their first matchup in 2016.

Redshirt senior outside hitter Andrea Estrada attempted to spark a run for the Salukis, starting off the first set with a kill to take the first point of the match.

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SIU was able to gain some breathing room by scoring back-to-back points, inspired by a kill from senior outside hitter Abby Barrow, to take a 6-4 lead.

The Chippewas responded with a three-point run of their own to take a 7-6 lead.

CMU was able to piece together another three-point run soon after to start inching ahead. Southern stifled Central Michigan’s attempt to take control of the match and bounced back with a three-point run of its own, tying the game back up at 13-13.

The first set continued to stay close, with 12 ties and five lead changes while both teams made it difficult for the other to gain a two point advantage.

CMU finally broke the set open late as SIU failed to stop a four-point run from Central Michigan, giving the opening set win to the Chippewas 25-19.

Central Michigan carried their momentum over into the second set as they jumped to a 5-1 lead thanks to an early five-point run.

They continued to lead the Salukis as they went on a second five-point run, putting them further ahead at 11-4.

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Southern fought back, putting together a four-point run aided with a kill by freshman opposite hitter Maggie Nedoma, closing the gap to 17-14 in favor of Central Michigan.

After a Chippewa timeout, CMU was able to shift the momentum with a six-point run opening its lead back up to 23-14.

SIU stopped the bleeding with a five-point run inspired by a kill from senior middle hitter Kolby Meeks to put the set win in reach at 23-19 CMU.

After another Central Michigan timeout, the Chippewas were able to score back-to-back points to take the set 25-19 and a 2-0 match lead.

The Salukis came into the third set looking for redemption as they opened the set with a 4-0 lead thanks to three attack errors and a kill by sophomore setter Alayna Martin.

SIU continued to lead for the majority of the set, with CMU not letting them get more than four points ahead.

While keeping the set close, the Chippewas strung together a three-point run on the Salukis to take the lead 14-13.

The teams once again continued to battle back-and-forth, exchanging the lead a handful of times through the midpoint of the set.

The Salukis started to pull away, with a three-point run inspired by a couple of kills from Estrada, giving them the lead 21-17.

Central Michigan put an immediate stop to SIU’s momentum, going on a seven-point run to take the third set 25-22 and complete the 3-set sweep of Southern in the match.

Estrada led the team in kills with a total of seven on an attacking percentage of .174.

Freshman setter Rachel Maguire led the team in assists with 12.

Meeks had five kills of her own while also co-leading the team in blocks with four in total.

Junior middle blocker Patience Brown had six kills in the match with one service ace and four blocks.

Nedoma had three kills of her own as well as two blocks.

Senior libero Ashley Edelen led both teams in digs with 13 on the evening.

SIU (1-8) will play its final two matches of the tournament on Saturday, the first beginning at 11:30 a.m. against the University of Notre Dame followed by the final match at 3:30 p.m. against Michigan State University.

Sports reporter Dillon Gilliland can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @DillonGilliland.

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