Cougars Begin 30th Season of Volleyball at IU-Indianapolis Tournament

WHERE WE'RE AT: SIUE heads to Indianapolis, Indiana to start of their 2024 season. The Cougars will take on Eastern Michigan and Valparaiso on Friday with IU Indy following on Saturday at the IU - Indianapolis Tournament.

A NEW LOOK: The 2024 season features five new freshmen Claire Jones, Sophia Robinson, Taya Nordmann, Tionna Owens, and Elise Paul. The Cougars also welcome three transfers Nicole Medlin, Olivia Hogan, and Kyndia Smith.

PRESEASON HONORS: Senior outside hitter Sydney Hummert was recognized as an OVC player to watch this season. In her 2023 season she led the Cougars with 315 kills. Her 2.76 kills per set also led SIUE while ranking 9th in the conference. She added 300 digs and 35 service aces,while recording 66 total blocks. Hummert locked away 793 total digs last season surpassing the 500 career marker.

AT CENTER COURT: Alyse Drifka recorded 596 assists last season, averaging 5.18 per set, leading SIUE last season. Corinna Jones joins gained 341 assists for her first season with SIUE.

PROTECT THE NET: Middle blocker Nicole Medlin joins the SIUE Cougars from UCCS. Last season Medlin lead her team recording 69 blocks averaging .70 blocks a set. Medlin also ranked ninth in the RMAC with a hitting percentage of .312.

OPENING STATEMENT: Under the direction of Head Coach Kendall Paulus, the Cougars are 4-3 in season openers dating back to 2017.

AT THE HELM: Paulus enters her eighth season in charge of the Cougars, owning an all-time record of 88-102. Paulus is SIUE's second longest tenured volleyball head coach behind Todd Gober, who coached the Cougars for 10 seasons.

LAST SEASON: SIUE finished 13-16 overall with a percentage of .448 and 7-11 in conference with a percentage of .389. The cougars finished ninth overall in the Ohio Valley Conference.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Alyse Drifka: S; 5' 9"; Senior

#8 Sydney Hummert: OH; 6' 0"; Senior

#9 Corinna Jones: S; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

#20 Elise Paul: MB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#4 Kyndia Smith: RS; 5' 10"; Junior

#5 Claire Jones: DS; 5' 9"; Freshman

#10 Olivia Hogan: DS; 5' 4"; Junior

#11 Sophie Robinson: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman

#12 Taya Nordmann: MB; 6' 2"; Freshman

#14 Tionna Owens: MB; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#6 Alyse Drifka
: 5' 9"; Senior
: S

#8 Sydney Hummert
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH

#9 Corinna Jones
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: S

#20 Elise Paul
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: MB

#4 Kyndia Smith
: 5' 10"; Junior
: RS

#5 Claire Jones
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: DS

#10 Olivia Hogan
: 5' 4"; Junior
: DS

#11 Sophie Robinson
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH

#12 Taya Nordmann
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: MB

#14 Tionna Owens
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: MB