Despite 16 kills and 10 digs by Illinois States Erin Jones, Notre Dame rallied to beat the Redbirds at Redbird Arena 18-30, 30-19, 30-22, 30-28.
The Redbirds, 10-11, took the first game behind Erin Jones seven kills. The team hammered 19 in game one. But Notre Dames defense stiffened and the Birds had trouble passing and serving in the succeeding games. The Irish, 18-5, led by setter Kristen Kinder with 52 set assists, came back to win three straight games.
The 15th meeting between the Irish and Redbirds turned out like most of its predecessors. Ten of the 15 matches have gone at least four games with seven of them going to the five-game limit.
Illinois State coach Sharon Dingman was disappointed in the Redbirds service and passing errors, which canceled out Laura Doornbos 14 kills and 13 more by Staci Boyce. Paige White and Kelly Rikli led the Birds with 13 digs, but Notre Dames Keara Coughlin led all players with 18.
Were working hard to win points, but then we are giving away points through service errors, Dingman said. I think that we did a nice job with our kills and quickness versus their height to beat their block, but we lost the game because of service and passing errors.
Notre Dame coach Debbie Brown acknowledged that the match was not an easy one for the Irish, particularly the fourth game. The biggest lead by either team was three and the score was tied at 18 different points. Both teams had trouble putting balls to the floorNotre Dame had 31 digs and Illinois State 23 in just that game.
We always know coming here that it will be a tough match. Game four was indicative of how tough it is playing Illinois State, she said. The crowd gives Illinois States players a nice environment to work in, and its a tough environment to come into for a visiting team.
Notre Dame, No. 1 in the nation with 3.79 blocks per game, managed just one in the first game to the Redbirds three as ISU out-hit the Irish .436 to .093 for the game, .267 to .251 for the match.
Notre Dame rallied in game two with four service aces, three blocks and a .310 to .089 hitting edge in winning game two. Illinois States eight service errors were exactly the difference in the game three score.
Illinois State resumes Missouri Valley Conference play Friday with a 6 p.m. match at Indiana State.
