Salukis End Bulldogs' Streak With 3-0 Win

Friday, September 10

Carbondale, Ill.

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

7-1

Southern Illinois

6-1

MSTATE

Southern Illinois

Newsome Sets Blocks Record But Dogs Drop Finale 3-1

Salukis End Bulldogs' Streak With 3-0 Win

September 10, 2010 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Mississippi State saw its season-opening win streak snapped at seven matches Friday night as the Southern Illinois Salukis (6-1) topped the Bulldogs (7-1) in straight sets in the opening round of the SIU Saluki Invitational.

SIU, in its first home competition of the season, held the Bulldogs to a season-low 28 kills in taking the tourney-opener 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 before 432 fans at Davies Hall.

“Southern Illinois played well in their home-opener tonight and had a great crowd behind them tonight,” said MSU head coach Jenny Hazelwood. “We seemed to lack focus tonight and didn't take care of the little things the way we have the first two weekends. With a short turnaround before our next match tomorrow morning, we've got to put this one behind us quickly and get our focus back.”

Saluki senior outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger was the lone player to reach double figures in kills for the match, tallying 14. Alicia Johnson tallied eight.

Bulldog senior Ashley Newsome led Mississippi State with nine kills and four total blocks, including her 58th and 59th career solo stops. Caitlin Rance, the SEC kills leader heading into the weekend, finished with seven kills.

Senior libero Kayla Woodard finished with 10 digs as the Bulldogs and Salukis finished with 42 digs each.

SIU built out a nine-point lead at 16-7 in the opening set before the Bulldogs, riding a four-kill spree by Newsome, reeled off nine straight points, closing the gap to a single point. But State could get no closer before bowing 25-22.

Newsome opened the second set with a kill for an early MSU lead. But after a 5-5 tie, the Salukis controlled play, hitting at a match-best .258 clip and forcing nine MSU attack errors in posting a 25-18 decision to take a 2-0 advantage in the match.

The two teams came back form the break battling on near even terms throughout much of the third set. State threatened to force a fourth set, taking a 16-15 advantage. But SIU regained the upper hand with a 6-1 run and a six-kill showing by Berwanger helped power the Salukis to a match-clinching 25-21 win.

The Bulldogs conclude their third and final early-season tournament Saturday, meeting South Florida (3-4) at 10 a.m. and Southeast Missouri (2-5) at 5 p.m.