Two Sweeps, One Tough Test: SIUE’s Cougar Classic Weekend

A first win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff

SIUE opened the tournament Friday, Sept. 11, with a three-set sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Cougars took the first set 25-7, won the second 25-14 and finished the match 25-21. It was their first victory after six straight losses.

Kennedy Pike led SIUE with 13 kills, and freshman Georgia Bresnahan added 11. Afterward, Pike told me the team wanted to prove it could finish a match.

“We play better when we’re aggressive,” Pike said. That approach mattered in the closer third set, when Arkansas-Pine Bluff made SIUE work harder for points.

Head coach Kendall Paulus saw a team learning to trust its work. “We know this team can compete,” she said, pointing to the standards the Cougars had maintained in practice even before the wins arrived.

The Cougars make it two

SIUE returned to the court Friday night and swept Chicago State 25-15, 25-19 and 25-12. Pike and Bresnahan each recorded 10 kills. The Cougars had won twice in a day, and their younger players were contributing in big moments.

Paulus praised Bresnahan’s calm under pressure. “She just has a really, like, competitive calm demeanor where in big moments she’s shown up,” the coach said.

When I spoke with Bresnahan, she credited hard work and the people around her for her start to college volleyball. She also described the trust developing between teammates. Of Pike, she said, “She is a great teammate. She’s so hardworking, and she gives the best energy out on the court. I trust her.”

That teamwork helped SIUE stay focused through its two Friday matches. Bresnahan said the players communicated, watched what was happening across the net and concentrated on controlling their own side.

Northern Illinois raises the challenge

Northern Illinois entered Saturday’s finale unbeaten at the Cougar Classic. The Huskies controlled the first two sets against SIUE and held off the Cougars in the third, winning 25-18, 25-19 and 25-20.

Northern Illinois finished with 47 kills to SIUE’s 29. Bresnahan led the Cougars with seven kills and eight digs, while Vienna Elliot recorded four blocks.

Paulus pointed to SIUE’s serve-and-pass game as an area that needed improvement. “We really depend on that pass to give us more options,” she said. Northern Illinois also made the Cougars adjust to attacks from across the net.

SIUE finished its home tournament 2-1. Friday showed how well the Cougars could play when they were aggressive and connected; Saturday showed the challenge of sustaining that level against a stronger opponent. For a young roster, both lessons matter as the season continues.