FORT WAYNE, Ind. – SIUE volleyball opened the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational on Friday with a pair of wins against Miami (Ohio) and Valparaiso at Gates Sports Center.
Following the victories, SIUE improves to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Cougars have now won four of their last five matches.
Match One: SIUE 3, Miami (Ohio) 1
The Cougars used their best attack percentage of the season (.287) and three players registered double-digit kills to down Miami (Ohio) in four with set scores of 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, and 25-12. SIUE also set a season-high mark with 11 service aces.
Leading the match 2-1 heading into the fourth set, SIUE took the opening five points and never looked back, holding its lead for the remainder of the set. The Cougars' attack finished the contest hot, using a .407 attack percentage in the final set to down the Redhawks, 3-1.
Inside the Numbers:
- Savannah Christian and Julia Treichel led the Cougars' attack with 13 kills each. Christian finished the contest with a .722 attack percentage while Treichel concluded with a .417 clip.
- Treichel picked up her third double-double of the season with 13 kills and 10 digs.
- Sydney Hummert tallied 10 kills for SIUE while leading the team with four service aces. She also led the Cougars with four blocks while Christian, Elana Fuller, and Priscilla Jones contributed three apiece.
- At center court, Grace Beekman led the Cougars with 27 assists. Alyse Drifka dished out 21 assists.
- Freshman Abi Banitt led the defensive efforts, picking up 13 digs.
Match Two: SIUE 3, Valparaiso 1
SIUE claimed victories in the first and third sets before capping off its second win of the day in the fourth frame. The Cougars' attack remained hot, using a .252 attack percentage to down the Beacons with set scores of 28-26, 19-25, 25-17, and 25-20. SIUE tied a season-high mark, registering 13 total blocks in the contest while five players recorded double-doubles.
The win over Valpo marks the first in program history after four previous meetings with the Beacons.
Inside the Numbers:
- The Cougars racked up 58 kills in the contest with four athletes tallying 10 or more. Priscilla Jones led the SIUE attack with 13 kills while Treichel contributed 12. They both concluded the match with a .258 attack percentage. Hummert and Christian had 11 kills apiece.
- Hummert led SIUE at the service line with four aces. She leads the Cougars with 18 service aces this season, averaging 0.44 per set.
- Treichel and Hummert each turned in a double-double. Treichel concluded the match with 10 digs while Hummert collected 12.
- Priscilla Jones picked up 11 blocks in the victory, a career-high mark for the junior. Her single game block total is tied for the fifth in Division I this season. She leads SIUE with 43 on the 2023 campaign.
- Beekman's 29 assists led the Cougars while tying a career best mark. She added 11 digs for a double-double. Alyse Drifka also earned a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs.
- Banitt led SIUE with 13 digs. She leads the Cougars with 146 this season, averaging 3.32 per set.
Up Next: SIUE returns to the court to close out the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational on Saturday, Sep. 16. The Cougars will take on host Purdue Fort Wayne in the weekend finale at 10:00 a.m. CT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEVolleyball on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
