Sept. 7, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. - Tara Thomas (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) recorded a season-high 20 kills, but the Western Kentucky volleyball team fell to Southern Illinois 3-2 in the first match of the Saluki Invitational Friday night.
Western (3-2) recorded a match-best .412 attack percentage in game one, winning 30-22. However, SIU (1-3) rebounded to take game two 30-21. The Lady Toppers went up 2-1 in the match with a 30-25 win in game three, but the Salukis won a tight 30-28 decision in game four and won the deciding game 15-12 to take the match.
Thomas hit .306 for the match, finishing with 49 swings. She also finished with a match-best, and season-high, 19 digs. Natalie Furry (Sr., Normal, Ill.) tallied 14 kills on 38 swings for a .316 hitting percentage, while Jessica Willard (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) also had double-figure kills with 11. Willard also played well up front, recording six blocks, three of which were unassisted. Kristie Kemner recorded a match-best 25 kills to lead SIU.
Western will return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. (CDT) when they take on Missouri. The Lady Toppers will turn around a 3:30 to face IUPUI in the final match of the Saluki Invitational.
- WKU -
