Sparta opened up Southern Illinois River-to-River conference play with a two set win over DuQuoin on the road 25-20, 25-22 Tuesday night.
The Lady Bulldogs took control of both sets early only to let sluggish passing and an unusually high number of attack errors allow the Lady Indians to get back into the match late in both.  
Erica Gallois had 15 kills while Rachel Peck added 12 kills.  Sparta had 12 attack errors and ended up hitting a low .207 attack percentage with a .361 kill percentage.  The Bulldogs were 42 of 46 serving.  Emma Koester broke the 20 assist barrier again with 23 assists on the night.
“It sure wasn’t pretty, but we did what we needed to get out of there with a win,” said Sparta coach Roger Gerlach. “The effort was there we just have to take control of a match and play well consistently throughout the match.”
Sparta gets back into action with another conference contest at Fulton Gym Thursday September 17, as Anna-Jonesboro visits.  Sparta has already played the Wildcats twice, losing at the Murphysboro Tournament before turning the tables the next weekend in the Carbondale tourney.
Sparta improves their overall record to 5-6, and 1-0 in conference action.