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SIU welcomes UNI and Bradley to Davies this weekend

Since the Gateway Conference merged with the Missouri Valley Conference in 1992, the Northern Iowa volleyball team has been ahead - way ahead - of everyone else.

Northern Iowa has won eight conference tournament championships, including six straight, and was picked to win the conference again this season along with Wichita State.

By comparison, SIU has made just four appearances in the conference tournament, advancing to the championship match in 2002 only to be swept by the Panthers. The Salukis haven't beaten UNI since 1993 and are 7-32 all-time against the Panthers.

The two teams' paths will cross tonight from somewhat different routes.

SIU (4-12, 2-3) began a seven-match road trip Sept. 21 with a win at Evansville but has dropped six straight matches since.

Northern Iowa (9-6, 3-2) has gotten off to a slow start having already suffered two conference losses after just two all of last season. UNI has also matched last season's total losses.

The Panthers (9-6, 3-2) won their last two matches though, defeating both Southwest Missouri State and Iowa 3-1.

Part of the reason for the Panthers' slow start is the departures of three-time Conference Player of the Year Molly O'Brien and four-time All-MVC first-team selection Jill Arganbright.

"You lose the meat and potatoes of your team and the flavor's going to change," said SIU head coach Sonya Locke.

Preseason all-conference selections Rachel Tink and Shari Vermeer have done their part in filling the void left by O'Brien and Arganbright.

Tink has 202 kills on the season and averages 3.81 a game. The junior from Waterloo, Iowa, accumulated more kills in her first two years than any other Panther in school history.

Senior Shari Vermeer averages 3.25 kills a game and has 24 aces. Vermeer is one of three Panthers in the top-10 in the conference in aces.

Locke said the Panthers' style of play is like no other in the Valley because of their quickness and consistency.

"They hit the ball hard," Locke said. "They're aggressive and good at what they do."

SIU is fourth in the conference in digs per game, but will need help up front from its middle blockers to contend with UNI's offense. The Salukis average just 1.67 blocks a game, better only than Indiana State's 1.57.

Junior middle blocker Marissa Washington said SIU will try to counter UNI's offense by staying in front of the Panthers' middles and cutting off their hitting angles.

SIU will finish the weekend Saturday against Bradley.

Like the Salukis, Bradley comes into the weekend hoping to get back on the winning track after losing its last five matches, all against Valley teams.

Bradley (5-10, 0-5) plays Evansville tonight in a battle of the eighth and 10th -place teams in the Valley. The Braves were swept by UNI Sept. 17.

The Braves are led by 2002 MVC Freshman of the Year and preseason all-conference selection Lindsay Stalzer. The junior middle blocker leads the conference in kills (260) and kills per game (4.56). Stalzer also leads the Braves in aces (20) and blocks per game (1.05).

"They are pretty much middle dominant," Locke said.

The Salukis are currently tied for sixth-place in the MVC - the last spot to qualify for the conference tournament - and with 13 conference matches remaining, still hold their future in their hands.

"If [our serve-receive] picks up then I know we can run our offense, and if we're able to run our offense, we're able to win games," Washington said.

The Salukis play Northern Iowa Friday and Bradley Saturday. Both matches start at 7 p.m,/i>