VALPARAISO, Ind. – The SIUE volleyball team was back in action on Saturday as the Cougars held on for their first win of the weekend against NIU before falling in four sets to Campbell as part of the Popcorn Classic.

Following Saturday's doubleheader, the Cougars move to 3-2 on their 2022 campaign.

Match 1: SIUE 3, NIU 2

After taking the opening set 25-20 over the Huskies, NIU found its footing in the following two sets to take a 2-1 advantage over the Cougars with scores of 25-11 and 25-17. SIUE rallied in the fourth set to edge the Huskies 25-18 to draw even. The Cougars carried their momentum into the final set, taking victory behind a 16-14 score.

Savannah Christian was outstanding for the Cougars, racking up 14 kills on 25 attacks with one error, good for a team-leading .600 clip in the victory over NIU. Sydney Hummert also finished the match with 14 kills.

Junior Nicole Kijowski added a season-high 18 digs while Julia Treichel added 14 digs of her own. Caroline Waite handed out 22 assists in the win while Priscilla Jones recorded a team-high six blocks. Sophomore Ainsley Ranstead also finished the match with five blocks along with 9 kills.  

Match 2: CAMPBELL 3, SIUE 1

In a back-and-forth, four set contest between SIUE and Campbell, the Fighting Camels handed the Cougars their second loss of the weekend, 22-25, 26-24, 24-26, 21-25.

Sydney Hummert and Savannah Christian led SIUE in kills, each recording 13 in the loss. Nicole Kijowski was credited with 16 digs, Jessica Vineyard picked up 6 blocks while Caroline Waite dished out 24 assists.

UP NEXT

SIUE will travel to Deland, Florida to begin the Stetson Invitational, facing host Stetson in the opening contest on Friday at 6:00 p.m. The Cougars will close out their weekend in a Saturday doubleheader against Mercer at 10:00 a.m. and Bethune-Cookman at 4:00 p.m.