Despite 16 kills, 10 digs and 8 blocks by
Jenny Kabbes, Bradley ended Illinois States 13-match winning streak over the Braves with a 24-30, 30-23, 30-24, 30-24 decision Saturday at Robertson Field House.
Laura Benzing had 23 kills, 15 digs and 9 blocks to lead the Braves 11-5, 5-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference, to just their third victory in 31 meetings with Illinois State.
ISUs
Erin Jones had a career-high 24 digs, but BU had an 86-81 dig edge and a 17-14 advantage in team blocks. Kabbes had hitting support from
Megan O'Connell with 13 kills, but the Birds were out-hit by a more effective Bradley attack .205 to .145.
Redbird coach
Sharon Dingman, thought the match boiled down to basics.
The two most basic things in volleyball are passing and serving, said Dingman. Bradley did those things and we didnt.
The Redbirds fell to 7-6 overall, 3-3 in the Valley. With their next four league matches at home, Dingman believes her team needs to build some momentum.
Were going to have to win and do what needs to be done to win, said Dingman. Our team should be excited to play (second-place) SMS (Friday). Now, were going to have win at home and win on the road.
On Saturday, the Braves got key contributions from setter Sam Hardwick, who had 16 digs and 56 set assists, plus outside hitters Stephanie Behrns (14 kills, 16 digs) and Abby Davidson (12 kills, 16 digs).
Game one was close as they come, with neither team leading by more than three points until a Bradley serve into the net knotted the score at 24-24.
Staci Boyce, took over the serving for Illinois State and finished out the game, supported by three Kabbes kills. OConnell had five of her kills in that first game.
Kabbes had seven kills in game two to help ISU build a 15-12 lead, but Bradley had the answer in Benzing. She had four kills and a block as the Braves went on a 10-1 run to take control at 22-16.
Amelie Rodrigue served five points to start game three and served the Braves to a 6-1 lead in game four and Illinois State couldnt overcome those margins in the final two games.
The Redbirds play Southwest Missouri State Friday and Wichita State Saturday, both matches starting at 7 p.m. at Redbird Arena.
