Nov. 14, 2009

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Junior right-side hitter Sydney Winslow recorded a game-high 16 kills, including the final two of the match, as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville completed the 2009 season with a four-set victory over Eastern Illinois.

The Cougars defeated the Panthers 25-15, 25-21, 16-25, 25-20.

It was a welcome win for the Cougars who have struggled all season with injuries and lineup changes. SIUE ended the season with a 2-27 record. Eastern Illinois dropped to 11-19 overall.

SIUE Coach Todd Gober said he changed the lineup again before the match. This time, the youthful Cougars came through.

"We were so young that it's taken this long," said Gober. "We defeated a good team. They've been battling injuries too and are better than their record indicates."

The Cougars got off to a strong start in the first set, using a 9-2 run to close it out. Winslow and Brooke Smith served strong during the rally.

SIUE would go up two sets when it broke away from a 19-19 tie on a kill by freshman Kelsey Mosher, who would finish the match with 12 kills. Karie Downing also added a kill en route to the second set victory. She would finish with 11 kills.

Gober said the production from the outside hitters was a welcome sight. Twelve kills and 11 kills from our outside hitters - that's tremendous. We haven't seen those kinds of numbers," said Gober.

Another move for the Cougars against EIU was the return of freshman Sammi Minton as the team's setter. She recorded 44 assists among SIUE's 59 kills.

"She brought tremendous confidence to everyone," said Gober.

Kelsey Orr and Erin Hake shared top billing for the Panther swith 10 kills each.

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