Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois Women's Volleyball team concluded the first day of the Saluki Bash with a split outcome, losing to Jackson State and securing a narrow victory over Memphis. The Salukis will face Eastern Illinois in their final match on Saturday.

In the first game, despite Kelly Franklin's 16 kills and 20 assists from Anna Jaworski and Ema Stermenska, Southern Illinois (3-1) fell to Jackson State. The Tigers (3-2) clinched the first set 29-27 after it went to deuces. Although Larissa Seger helped even the contest in set two, the Salukis could not maintain a lead in sets three and four, resulting in a 3-1 loss.

The second game saw Kelly Franklin achieve another career-high with 19 kills as Southern Illinois narrowly avoided squandering a 2-0 lead against Memphis. Alongside Franklin, Annabelle Sulish, Larissa Seger, and Ella Swansiger each recorded double-digit kills. Anna Jaworski and Ema Stermenska again provided substantial support with 25 assists each.

The Salukis (4-1) capitalized on Memphis' errors to secure a 25-19 win in set one. Set two also ended in favor of Southern Illinois after another close finish facilitated by Seger's performance. However, Memphis, led by Sean Burdette—father of SIU middle hitter Brinley Burdette—rallied in sets three and four to force a decisive fifth set.

Memphis initially led 7-3 in the final set before Southern Illinois mounted a comeback. After another deuce situation, key plays from Seger and Franklin secured the victory for the Salukis.

The team will complete their participation in the Saluki Bash with a match against Eastern Illinois at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information on the tournament, visit the Tournament Central page. Follow updates on Southern Illinois Volleyball through X (@SIU_Volleyball), Instagram (@SIU_Volleyball), Facebook (SalukiVolleyball), or via the "Salukis" Mobile App available on both App Store and Google Play Store.