CARBONDALE -- The Southern Illinois University volleyball team grinded out a five-set win (25-22, 25-19, 12-25, 21-25, 15-10) over the UT Martin Skyhawks Tuesday night at Davies Gym.
The Salukis (6-5) played in their school-record fifth-straight five-set match Tuesday. Southern went ahead 2-0, only to see the Skyhawks respond with back-to-back wins in sets three and four. Southern regrouped and returned to form in the fifth frame, as it hit .429 and never trailed to seal the 3-2 win.
"We are slowly beginning to play longer stretches with confidence," first-year head coach Ed Allen said. "But we struggle with that. So every time we face adversity, like in the third set, it is tough to let that go and be able to go back and play with the same confidence that we started the match with. That is something we are continuing to work at."
Hannah Becker, playing her third position in as many matches, led the charge with career-highs in kills (15) and attempts (45). The redshirt sophomore had eight kills with just one error through the first two sets and was SIU's go-to hitter for most of the match with freshman Alex Washington out due to injury.
"I thought Hannah Becker did an unbelievable job," Allen said. "Here's a kid that tied for the team-lead in kills and she's playing her third position in about two weeks. She's played left, middle and right. She didn't even get a chance to practice much on the left side until late yesterday for about 20 minutes. She's our unsung hero."
Rachel Maguire was instrumental once again in helping Southern put the match away. The junior setter/hitter tied Becker for the team-lead with 15 kills to go along with 21 assists and six digs. The Bloomington, Ill. native did significant damage in the fifth set, as she put down five kills on just six swings with no errors.
Southern continues to battle through the injury bug. Washington, Southern's leading attacker, was sidelined today because of a foot injury while fellow freshman Bailey Neuberger is out for the season. Kat Wagner, who had five digs through the first three sets, exited Tuesday's match with an injury that forced Abi Fitzpatrick into the match, despite the fact she hadn't practiced this week.
"We are one player away from having to play a middle in the back row," Allen said.
Alayna Martin piloted Southern's attack and finished two kills shy of a triple-double. She recorded eight kills, 31 assists and 15 digs while Laura Rojas added an ace and 24 digs. Lindsey Paulsen hit .316 with nine kills and a team-high seven blocks.
The win gave SIU its fifth-straight win overall over UT Martin and it was Southern's 11th-straight home victory over the Skyhawks in a streak that dates back to 1975.
The Salukis are back in action this weekend at the Golden Eagle Invitational, hosted by Tennessee Tech. SIU will take on Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Tech and Western Illinois during the two-day tournament.
