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Salukis lose road trip finale

The SIU volleyball team ended its seven-match road trip with a loss at Tennessee-Martin Tuesday.

Tennessee-Martin jumped on SIU early, winning the first game 30-16 and game two 30-26.

SIU (4-12, 2-3) rebounded to take game three, holding Tennessee-Martin to a .022 attack percentage, but could not maintain its momentum as the Skyhawks closed the Salukis out 30-25 in the fourth and final game.

The Salukis have now lost six consecutive matches and are tied for sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference with Indiana State.

"We're just going to keep working hard in practice and keep pushing ourselves to get better as individuals," said SIU head coach Sonya Locke. "Hopefully as everybody's confidence level continues to grow, then our ability to put together some wins will grow."

Tennessee-Martin had won just one of its previous nine matches and its Tuesday night victory was just the second ever over the Salukis.

Redshirt freshman Jaime Hinsenkamp led the team with a career-high 16 kills and a .429 hit percentage. Sophomore Haley Hann was the only other Saluki to post double-figure kills with 11.

Fellow sophomore Holly Marita recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 38 assists and 18 digs. Senior Erica Miller had 20 digs, the sixth time this season she has had 20 or more digs.

The Salukis dug 13 more balls than Tennessee-Martin but hit just .181, while allowing the Skyhawks to hit .235. Tennessee-Martin came into the match hitting .164 and also scored 14 points off aces.

"We just didn't have enough power," Locke said. "Not enough offense."

Rebecca Palmer and Leigh Reiniche had 17 kills apiece, and Jaime Hollins added 12. Palmer hit a game-high .548.

"I think we just need to get ourselves in a position where we are going to play with more confidence and play with more intention," Locke said.

The Salukis finished their seven-match road trip 1-6, with their lone win coming against Evansville Sept. 21.

"I think there are times when people are trying to do a little too much and they end up making an error versus keeping things in system," Locke said. "But you can't fault them for wanting to be the aggressor."

SIU will try to squash its six-match losing streak and resume its push for an MVC tournament spot this weekend when the Salukis host Northern Iowa and Bradley.