Active ankles could be seen across the court as SLU (2-4) collected their first and second victories this weekend while hosting the Active Ankle Challenge.
To start off the action this weekend, the Billikens faced the Crusaders of Valparaiso (3-4) on Friday night in a four-set match. Lauren Baumet and Lindsey Dinkenlacker tied for14 kills apiece and led the Billikens to a 27-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23 victory for their first win of the season. Grace Bonoma led SLU’s defensive front with 21 digs while the offense charged behind Cassie Clarke’s dominating 42 assists. Valparaiso finished the tournament 1-2.
The Billikens were back in action Saturday, coming off their first win of the season, playing the Southern Illinois Salukis., The Salukis were able to put a win in the books with a 25-22, 21-25, 25-12, 25- 14 victory over the Bills. The match saw 23 ties between the two teams and a season low 12 points for SLU in the third set. Cassie Clarke led the Billikens with 35 assists and Lindsey Dinkenlacker had 13 kills followed by 9 kills for Megan Gilbert. Grace Bonoma and Lindsey Dinkenlacker dished up 22 digs. Southern Illinois finished the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record and placing first in the tournament..
Completing their tournament for the weekend as the Billikens faced the Jaguars of South Alabama. The match saw a total of 19 ties and featured a dominating Billikens squad beating out the Jaguars in 25-21, 26-24, 25-19 style. After an impressive first set, SLU slid behind the Jaguars to open the second set. They then went on a 4-point run to take control at 13-10. Freshman Anna Church ended the Jaguars’ comeback attempt with an ace, one of three in the match, to end the set at 26-24. The third set featured an impressive opening by the Billikens who rushed to a 7-2 start; the Jaguars only gained the lead once at 19-18. However, the Bills went on a 7-point tear and ended the match 25-19. The Jaguars slid to the last slot of the tournament at 0-3.
“We are excited that we had a successful tournament,” Head Coach Kent Miller said after SLU finished the tournament in second place at 2-1. “We are upset that we let a competitive match slip away from us against Southern Illinois, but I think that we made big strides this weekend.”
The Billikens play the Braves of Bradley University on Tuesday in Peoria, Illinois.
Miller is looking forward to the road trip, “We are excited about having another quality out-of-conference match. I think it will be a very competitive match, any time that we go on the road and play in someone else’s gym, it’s a good experience for our team, ” Miller said.
SLU will also be hosting the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic next weekend, slated to play Evansville, Southeast Missouri State and South Florida Friday and Saturday.
