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Two teams, one spot

Volleyball matches this late in the season were meaningless last year. By Oct. 18, SIU had been eliminated from post-season contention, and the Salukis' remaining matches became exercises in pride.

But things have changed.

The Salukis have been on a journey to get to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament since last year's season-ending loss to Creighton, and that path has led them to a must-win situation tonight against Indiana State.

"It's going to feel like it's the state championship," said Marissa Washington.

SIU (9-17, 6-8) has the sixth and final conference tournament spot in its grasp, but the Sycamores are just a match behind and waiting to capitalize on any Saluki mishaps.

The Salukis lost to Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 16, but a victory tonight would give them a two-match advantage over the Sycamores and force a tiebreaker situation should the two teams finish in a dead heat at the end of the season.

The tiebreaker would be determined by a point system, where each team is awarded points for each conference win and victories against the top teams being worth the most points.

"I always felt like if we didn't beat somebody in the first round we had to beat them in the second," said SIU head coach Sonya Locke. "Now it carries a different level of significance."

The teams' remaining opponents add even greater significance to tonight's contest.

After tonight, SIU will have three matches remaining - all against three of the top teams in the Valley.

SIU hosts Illinois State Saturday in its last home match of the season before traveling to Wichita State and Southwest Missouri State.

Illinois State (17-8, 9-5) has lost two of its last three matches but has lost to SIU just once in the last 14 years.

Wichita State (19-5, 14-1) has won seven of its last eight home matches against the Salukis.

SIU defeated SMS in Carbondale earlier this season, but has not beaten the Bears at the Hammons Student Center since 1998.

Indiana State (9-13, 5-9) seemingly has an easier road with two of its last three matches being at home.

The Sycamores play at Evansville tomorrow, and host Creighton and Drake next weekend.

Evansville (12-15, 5-9) is tied with Indiana State in seventh place and is also a match behind SIU. The Purple Aces face Illinois State tonight, before hosting the Sycamores tomorrow.

SIU holds the tiebreaker with Evansville after sweeping the season series, and will automatically advance should the two teams finish in a sixth-place tie.

Creighton swept Indiana State way back on Sept. 17 and has beaten the Sycamores six out of the last nine times at the ISU Arena.

Drake (3-22, 1-13) has lost its last 12 matches and remains at the bottom of the Valley with Bradley.

"We just have to make sure we win, and not wait for Indiana State to hope that Creighton or Drake beats them," Washington said.

SIU plays Indiana State Friday at 7 p.m., and Illinois State Saturday at 3 p.m.