EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville snapped a three-match losing skid Tuesday with a 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 triumph over Ohio Valley Conference rival Southeast Missouri at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE, now 11-10, was impressive from the start by posting 18 kills in the first set. Julia Whitfield collected five of her team-high 10 kills in the first set.

"I'm very happy it was a three-set match. I was happy with our intensity, the first set especially. Eighteen kills and two errors ... That is the kind of set we expect from our team."

Sophomore setter Sammi Minton played a strong match with 31 assists and a career-high five blocks.

"Sammi did a great job," added Gober.

Whitfield not only led the Cougars in kills but was second behind libero Karie Downing in digs. Downing led SIUE with a team-high 17 digs followed by 15 from Whitfield. Gober lauded Whitfield's match.

"Julia is just a hard-nosed, tough kid and had one of the best matches of her season," Gober said.

SEMO, now 5-13, struggled for the first two sets but took a 7-2 lead to open the third set. SIUE rallied back to tie the set 8-8 and did not look back.

Gober said the insertion of Kelsey Mosher into the starting lineup was a plus for the Cougars. Mosher was filling in for freshman outside hitter Lexi Cibulka, who was unavailable for Tuesday's match. Mosher, a sophomore, started for the first time this season and finished with six kills.

"Kelsey did great and had a big game. She kept her errors to a minimum and played a solid game," Gober said. SEMO's Claire Keaton led all players with 11 kills. As a team, SEMO finished with 30 kills while SIUE connected on 42.

Next up for SIUE is a Sunday match against Loyola. Match time is 1 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.

-siue cougars-