Stephanie Behrns had career highs with 24 kills and 23 digs to lead Bradley to a 30-25, 30-28. 23-30, 24-30, 15-10 win over Illinois State at Redbird Arena. It was Bradleys first victory in 17 matches against Illinois State in Normal.
We prepared our team well for this game, said Bradley head coach Scott Luster. We stayed focused, but give ISU credit for making some nice adjustments.
Illinois State, 13-9 overall, 9-4 in the Missouri Valley, had solid performances from some familiar faces with Megan OConnell leading the Birds in kills with 19, while Abby Lewis chipped in with a career-high 17. Becky Weber led the team in digs with 24.
The Braves, 18-7 overall, 9-4 in the Valley, out-hit the Redbirds .500 to .227 in the final game of the match.
Bradleys tempo was controlling the first two games, but we changed that, said Illinois State head coach Sharon Dingman. It all came down to the fifth game and they had a .500 hitting percentage. We both played very well. They just played better.
In game one, Bradley pulled away from a 17-17 tie with the help of a Redbird hitting error and an Ann Franklin kill gave the Braves the lead for good, even though neither team led by more than five in the game. Jenna Passman had five kills for the Braves, who out-dug the Redbirds 25-23 in a defense-oriented game.
Bradleys offense got going in game two, thanks to Behrns 9 kills. and 8 more by Marika Giguere. Bradley out-hit the Birds .346 to .265 in game two. The Braves led 27-21 before Jenny Kabbes pounded four straight kills to trim the lead to 27-25. Franklin and Passman scored on kills to put Bradley at game point, but the Birds rallied to 29-28 before Passman cut a soft kill out of the middle for game point.
OConnells 6 kills and some tighter defense helped the Birds get back into the match in game three. Her first two kills helped ISU take an 8-5 lead and never give it up.
The Redbird block set up a 12-8 lead in game four, but the Braves erased that with a 4-0 run finished by Amelie Rodrigues service ace. With the score knotted at 14, ISU went on a 5-0 sprint featuring a block and a kill fom Megan Stephenson. Bradley closed within one at 22-21, but Erin Jones served five straight points as the Birds took control at 28-21, forcing the deciding game. ISU scored on six blocks in game four.
Becky (Weber) and Abby (Lewis) were key to our comeback (after game two), mentioned Dingman. Becky made some strong change-ups in the offense and that was good.
Bradley took a 3-1 lead in game five and the teams exchanged points until Bradley pulled ahead 10-7 on kllls by Passman and Behrns.
The Redbirds play No. 18 Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. Saturday in Redbird Arena. The Braves play Saturday at Indiana Stat.e.
