As the end of the season fast approaches, Saluki volleyball was looking for a win over the Indiana State Sycamores tonight to help propel them into the postseason. 

That wouldn’t be the case tonight, as Southern Illinois fell in three sets to Indiana State on the Sycamores’ home court (25-21, 20-25, 22-25, 18-25).

The Salukis (13-17, 5-11 MVC) saw the Sycamores (6-19, 4-11 MVC) earlier this season on Oct. 19, when they dropped a close 3-2 match on Southern’s home court. 

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Indiana State’s win broke a four-game losing streak, while for SIU, the loss was their third in a row. 

Despite the loss the Salukis found success on their side of the court; junior outside hitter Savannah Sheridan broke her career-best record in kills, totalling 19 for the night to go along with three digs.

In addition, junior setter Rachel Maguire recorded her 12th triple-double this season, including 11 kills, 18 assists, and 12 digs.

For the Sycamores, junior outside hitter Nikki White finished with 15 kills to lead the squad, going along with seven digs.

Sycamore junior setter Mary Hannah Lewis finished the frame with a triple-double, recording 13 assists and 10 digs.

Both Southern and Indiana State brought the intensity from the beginning of the first set, tying the game up 10-all.

The Salukis would push away however, taking a 20-14 lead at the most that would help them seal their win. 

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After the first set loss however the Sycamores gained their composure.

Indiana State took an early advantage over SIU in the second set, but the Salukis would make their way back to tie the set 15-15. 

Their push wasn’t enough to outlast the Sycamores, as they only found five more points in the set. 

The third set looked even from both sides, as neither squad held more than a three-point lead in the frame.

Southern held Indiana State with the 22-20 lead late in the set, but a five-point run from the Sycamores would decide the set in their favor.

Indiana State rode out their success into the fourth set, taking an early 10-7 advantage that SIU wouldn’t be able to find a way past.

The Sycamores made a 5-2 push at the end of the set to finish the match. 

Southern Illinois will travel to Evansville, Ind. tomorrow night for one of their second-to-last regular season matchup. 

The Salukis look to avenge their 3-0 to the University of Evansville Purple Aces (15-10, 6-8 MVC) from earlier in the season tomorrow night, with first serve set for 5:00 p.m.

Broadcast is available on ESPN3.

Sports reporter Brooke Buerck can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @bbuerck25.

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