EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Jessica Vineyard posted 11 blocks, the first double-digit blocking effort by a Cougar since 2015 when Volunteer Assistant Coach Kristen Torre posted 10, in the win over Southern Indiana on Friday night at First Community Arena. SIUE bested the Screaming Eagles, 3-1, using a .223 attack percentage on 56 kills with 13 total blocks.
Following the victory, SIUE improves to 12-16 overall and 7-10 in Ohio Valley Conference play this season. Southern Indiana falls to 1-27 and 1-16.
The Cougars rolled out to a hot start in the first frame, grabbing a six-point lead at 10-4 after a 5-0 run. SIUE took a 10-point lead at 21-11, its largest lead of the opening set, before USI closed its gap to six. The Cougars would prevail, stealing the final two points on back-to-back kills by Sydney Hummert and Ainsley Ranstead. Paige Montgomery made her collegiate debut in the first set and finished with two digs.
Southern Indiana took the opening two points in the second set, but the Cougars fought with a 7-1 run to claim a 7-3 advantage. SIUE held its lead until a 4-0 run by the Screaming Eagles knotted the match up at 13. Tied 18-18, the Cougars reclaimed their lead following a kill by Vineyard. SIUE would win the final two points of the set following a service error by USI and a kill from Savannah Christian.
Leading 3-1 in the third, Southern Indiana found its footing after a 5-0 run to take a three-point advantage. The Cougars tied the set twice but reclaimed their lead after a 3-0 run to take a 13-10 upper hand. Southern Indiana, however, would steal SIUE's short lead after an 8-1 run. The Cougars made the third set interesting by cutting their deficit to one at 24-23, but the Screaming Eagles captured the final point, taking a potential sweep away from the Cougars.
SIUE would regroup in the fourth set, holding the Screaming Eagles to a .030 attack percentage in the final frame. SIUE used a 7-0 run to capture an eight-point lead at 11-3, before a 5-0 run pushed the Cougars' advantage to 13. The Screaming Eagles refused to go down without a fight, using a 7-1 run to cut SIUE's lead to eight. SIUE would follow up with back-to-back points that was capped off by a Julia Treichel kill, giving the Cougars a 25-15 set win and 3-1 victory in the match.
Priscilla Jones led the match with 14 kills on 24 total attacks, good for a .542 hitting percentage. Vineyard also added double-digit kills with 10 for double-double. Hummert added nine kills, while Treichel and Ranstead added eight. Treichel also finished with six blocks and Ranstead collected three.
Nicole Kijowski paced the Cougars defense with a team-high 19 digs. Hummert also added double-digit digs with 13.
Setting the Cougars' attack were Caroline Waite and Alyse Drifka, finishing the match with 28 and 22 assists.
SIUE and Southern Indiana will square off again tomorrow at First Community Arena. It is Senior Day for the Cougars and the match will be streamed on ESPN+. First serve is slated for 2:00 p.m.
