Aces play at Missouri State on SaturdayÂ
CARBONDALE, Ill. – After taking the opening set by a decisive 25-15 final, the University of Evansville volleyball team dropped the final three sets to Southern Illinois in a 3-1 loss on Friday evening.
Giulia Cardona had a match-high 17 kills while Luana Gazda Kuhn set a new career mark with nine kills. She also posted her top dig total with 10. Kora Ruff totaled 31 assists while tying AInoah Cruz for the team lead with 11 digs.
Game 1 – UE 25, SIU 15
Things could not have gone better in the opening game as the Aces pulled away for a 10-point win. With the score tied at 5-5, UE scored six in a row with Cardona picking up two kills and an ace.
Gazda Kuhn recorded a kill that extended the lead to 17-10. From there, the Aces pulled away to take the set by a score of 25-15. Evansville wrapped up the frame on a 20-10 run.
Game 2 – SIU 25, UE 17
Things remained close throughout the opening half of the second set. Gazda Kuhn put Evansville in front by a 7-5 tally while SIU posted four in a row to go up 9-7. Tied at 10-10, the Salukis scored five in a row to take control.
The Aces would get within three points when a kill from Madisyn Steele made it an 18-15 score, but SIU would fend off the challenge and utilize a 7-2 run to take the set by a 25-17 score.
Game 3 – SIU 25, UE 12
SIU jumped out to a 3-0 lead to open the third set and would never give up the lead. UE got as close as one point at 5-4 before SIU embarked on a 10-2 run. They would go on to win the set by a final of 25-12.
Game 4 – SIU 25, UE 22
Looking to force a decisive fifth set, the Purple Aces were in control to open the set. Melanie Feliciano picked up three kills to set her team up with a 6-1 lead. Southern Illinois quickly fought back to tie it up at 7-7. Evansville responded to go back in front at 11-8 and 15-13, but the Salukis answered on both occasions.
With SIU up 19-18, the Aces put forth their most important run of the game. Two kills by Cardona helped UE retake a 21-19 lead. Unfortunately, SIU responded once again, scoring six of the final seven points to clinch the match.
UE looks to split the weekend road trip on Saturday with a 4 p.m. match at Missouri State.
