EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The SIUE women's volleyball team rallied from deficits in both matches against Morehead State this weekend, using several offensive bursts to earn a five-set victory Friday before completing the series sweep with a four-set win Saturday.
The Cougars improved to 8-16 overall, including a 6-6 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play.
In Friday's match, SIUE trailed 17-16 late in the fourth set before closing the frame on a 9-2 run behind a balanced offensive attack to force a decisive fifth set. The teams remained tied at 10-10 late in the final frame before the Cougars took control, finishing the match on a 5-1 run.
Kennedy Pike led the SIUE offense with 14 kills while hitting .345 and added seven digs and three blocks.
Sophie Robinson recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 13 digs, while sophomore
Ally Hughes notched her third double-double of the year with a career-high 28 assists and 16 digs.
Defensively,
Jehireh Williams tied a season high with six blocks, while
Vienna Elliott added four of her own at the net.
In Saturday's Senior Night contest, SIUE once again responded after facing adversity, with the Cougars' two seniors playing key roles in the victory. Elliott contributed four blocks, four kills, and a service ace, while
Paige Bernstein totaled 18 assists and two service aces.
Robinson led the Cougar attack Saturday, recording 15 kills on 28 attempts for a .429 hitting percentage while adding 13 digs, three service aces, and a block. Hughes continued her strong all-around play with a second consecutive double-double, finishing with 22 assists and 10 digs.
SIUE will return to action next weekend, traveling to face Eastern Illinois in a two-match series Thursday and Friday.
