In her final game at Redbird Arena, Staci Boyce paced the Birds with 11 kills, helping them to a 3-0 win over Missouri Valley Conference rival, Bradley. Illinois State won 30-26, 30-27 and 30-24 and increased its record to 18-13 and 11-7 in the Valley.
It was a great weekend, Boyce said after the game. I couldnt have asked for a better way to go out. Its a great way to end my career at home.
The Birds last faced the Braves in September and ended up falling, 3-2. But the reesults was different Saturday night despite a slow start by the Redbirds.
Illinois State and Bradley each looked a little off their respective games from the start, as game one was filled with service and receiving errors by both teams. Bradley took an early lead but the Redbirds fought back, taking a late lead. Bradley rallied at the end of the game cutting ISUs lead down to 29-26. But the Braves blew their chances at a comeback with a service error to end the game, 30-26. The Redbirds, who hit at a .405 percent clip in the first game, were led by Laura Doornbos with six kills.
The second game was filled with more consistency on both sides of the net and this time ISU was able to go ahead early. The Braves once again rallied to bring the score to 28-26 but that was the closest they would get as the Birds were able to hang on for the 30-27 win, giving them a two game edge over the Braves. They managed to get the win despite hitting just .213. Ashley Grubb, Savannah Knowles and Boyce each had four kills in game two and Jesse Janik had six digs.
Game three was all Redbirds. They built a lead from the start and never looked back, at one point ISU was up by ten points. Bradley, like the two games prior, was able to creep back in and cut the lead to four, but the Birds were just too much for the Braves. Illinois State won the final game, 30-24.
Were playing really well right now and this is the time of year when you want to be winning games, head coach Sharon Dingman said. We talked about going 7-0 in November and we did it. This team has been tremendous all season. When we were 0-5 at the beginning of the season, they never panicked. They always believed and now we just have to carry that on to the tournament.
For Illinois State, Doornbos had 10 kills and Knowles had 9 while setter Kelly Rikli tallied 35 set assists. In the match, ISU had 20 blocks to Bradleys 2. Bradley, which falls to 11-20 and 7-11 in the Valley, was led by Lindsey Stalzer and Jenna Passman who each had 13 kills.
The win extends Illinois States win streak to seven games. It also marks the 100th regular season win against a Valley opponent at Redbird Arena. Illinois State will face Indiana State in the first round of the Valley Tournament next week in Springfield, Mo.
