The Saint Louis University volleyball team was starting to forget what a winning streak was like. After going 14-1 to start the season, the Billikens ran into some fierce competition in Conference USA. During the first three weekends of conference play, SLU split two matches each time.
But things changed last weekend as the Billikens rolled over Southern Mississippi on Friday and then dismantled Tulane on Sunday.
With the two wins, SLU bumped its record up to 19-4 overall and 6-3 in C-USA.
Coach Marilyn Nolen said, “We had a really great weekend. We didn’t want to split again.”
The Bills showed no mercy on Friday as they attacked the injury-plagued Golden Eagles. Southern Miss could only suit seven players due to the number of injuries suffered during the year. The Bills wasted no time in disposing of the unlucky seven in straight sets, 15-9, 15-3 and 15-4.
Senior middle hitter Laura Risley led the team in kills with nine. Freshman middle hitter Colleen Hunter was impressive with eight kills, three assists and six digs. Junior outside hitter Jessica Moss led the team with 16 digs, two service aces and added five kills. Junior setter Beth Martin led the team with 31 assists and tied Moss with two service aces.
The Bills then set their sights on the Tulane Green Wave. After the Green Wave took a close first set, 16-14, the Billikens bounced back to take the next three, 15-8, 15-7 and 15-9.
Freshman setter Beth Middendorf was stellar off the bench with 35 assists. Martin had 35 assists and 11 digs. Hunter had 17 kills, 10 digs and two aces. Risley, as usual, led the team in kills with 28 and had 12 digs.
Moss had 19 digs and 9 kills. Freshman outside hitter Brooke Minniear had 21 digs and 12 kills. Freshman outside hitter Missy Werges added four kills and four digs.
“We had a strong freshman performance,” Nolen said. “Middendorf and Hunter had good days. Missy Werges played well all over.”
Nolen was impressed with her team’s overall performance.
“We were able to take Laura out and give every one plenty of floor time,” Nolen said. “I wish we could do that every game.”
The Bills hope to continue their winning ways this weekend when they take on conference rival Memphis at Memphis on Friday. The Tigers are dwelling in the C-USA cellar, with a 1-8 C-USA record and an overall record of 8-15.
The Bills return to the friendly confines of Bauman-Eberhardt on Sunday to go against the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers. The Blazers have already matched their conference win total from last year: One. The Blazers are tied with Memphis for worst record in C-USA.
Nolen said of the slumping competition, “They might not be regionally ranked, but every team presents a challenge.”
The next win will give SLU its second consecutive 20-win season and give Nolen her 750th career victory.
