From UNI Athletics
CARBONDALE, Illinois – The UNI volleyball team took on Southern Illinois in their second match in as many days, defeating the Salukis in five sets 18-25, 19-25, 29-27, 25-23, 15-13.
The Panthers trailed early in the first set, taking their first lead following a 4-0 run at 7-6. The Salukis managed to score in runs, and pulled ahead midway through the set. The Panthers struggled offensively, finishing the set with 7 attack errors. UNI recorded 14 kills on 41 attack attempts to hit .171 as a team.
The second set started going point for point, seeing 9 straight ties until the Salukis moved ahead 11-9. The Salukis strung together 6 straight points to go ahead 20-14. The Panthers were unable to make the final push and fell 25-19. UNI finished with the set with 14 kills, 9 attack errors, and a .156 team hitting percentage.
The Salukis got out to a hot start, leading the Panthers by as many as 6 at 18-12. The Panthers managed to tie the set at 19-19 and took a late 20-19 lead. The set moved into extra points after tying the set at 25-25, the Panthers managed to make the final push to take the set 29-27. UNI finished with 17 kills, 6 attack errors and a .239 team hitting percentage. UNI also added 6 service aces and 1 block.
The Panthers trailed the Salukis early in the set but managed to fight back to lead 10-9. The Panthers trailed 19-16 late in the set and tied the set 22-22. UNI dominated in the final points to take the set 25-23. The Panthers finished the set with 11 kill, 5 service aces and 3 blocks while hitting .200 as a team.
The Panthers hadn’t led through the midway point of the final set with the Salukis leading 7-5. UNI took their first lead at 8-7 and extended the lead 11-9 following a kill from Emily Holterhaus. UNI scored the final points to complete the five set comeback, winning the set 15-13.
Crucial play down the stretch from Megan Witte had the biggest impact on the Panther victory. The freshman finished the night with 8 kills, all coming in crucial moments in the match.
THE PANTHERS
-UNI finished with 69 kills and a .228 team hitting percentage.
-UNI finished with 70 digs and 51 assists.
-UNI finished with12 blocks and 11 service aces.
–Inga Rotto finished with a team high 14 kills and a .600 hitting percentage.
–Tayler Alden added 44 assists and 10 kills with a .562 hitting percentage.
THE SALUKIS
-SIU finished with 58 kills and a .218 team hitting percentage.
-SIU finished with 71 kills and 53 assists.
-Tatum Tornatta finished with a team 12 kills.
-Rachel Maguire finished with 50 assists and 4 service aces.
-Katy Kluge finished with 24 digs.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will now look ahead to next Sunday when they take the court with the Sycamores of Indiana State in the McLeod Center. The Panthers and Sycamores Sunday match will start at 6 p.m., radio pregame show on KXEL at 5:45 p.m. …and will start at 5 p.m., radio pregame show on KXEL at 4:45 p.m., on Monday.
