Megan OConnell had 14 kills and Erin Jones had 17 digs, but it was a pair of service stands by B Corbin which helped Illinois State bolt down a 15-11, 15-9, 15-13 win Friday at Bradley in Missouri Valley Conference volleyball.
With ISU fighting to hold a 12-11 lead, Corbin came off the bench to serve the final three points of game one. The Birds and Braves were tied at 9-apiece in game two when Corbin entered and served out that game.
Corbin, a versatile junior, had a chance to repeat her game-ending act in the third game. Coming on when ISU led 13-12, her first serve was returned as an overpass and killed by Megan Stephenson, who led all players with seven blocks in the match. But Bradley stopped match point from Corbin and three more ISU servers before Becky Weber served match point.
The Redbirds, 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the Valley, beat the Braves, 6-2, 0-1, for the 11th straight time and the 27th time in 29 meetings.
Corbin continues to amaze her head coach, Sharon Dingman.
Just a couple of days ago, we changed Bs serve, said Dingman. Shes such a remarkable athlete to coach. She picked it right up and took it right into the match.
Corbin admitted afterward she was more concerned about playing defense than serving.
My first priority was to be ready to play defense, said Corbin, who has practiced at every position for the Redbirds this year. I havent played much middle back and I wanted to make sure I was in the right position in our defense.
Sparking her team isnt new to Corbin.
Thats been my job for three year,s said Corbin. Come in and change the momentum. I love that. I want people to feed off me. It gets me going that they count on me to do that.
The 3-0 final score was hardly an indication of the closeness of the match. With 11 kills by Laura Benzing and 17 digs by Sam Hardwick, Bradley never stopped challenging ISU. Game two was a particular momentum pendulum--ISU led 7-0, then Bradley scored 9 of the next 11 points before Corbin served out the final six. The Birds never led by more than three points in the final game.
This was a good match, said Dingman. Both teams were aggressive and battled hard. Its great to have a conference opener that is this kind of match.
The Redbirds take on two-time defending champion and preseason favorite Northern Iowa at 7 p.m Saturday in West Gym.
