Kelly Riklis seven straight service points for Illinois State in game one, including an ace, marked the beginning of the end for Pittsburgh in a 30-14, 23-30, 30-17, 30-19 volleyball win for the Redbirds Sunday at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, 12-2, extended their current win streak to nine matches in a row. They also earned their 15th straight home-court win, just two short of the Illinois State record of 17 straight at home set between Aug.31, 1996 and Sept. 6, 1997. ISU started its current Redbird Arena winning streak Oct. 7, 2003. Laura Doornbos led all players with 17 kills for Illinois State, while Paige White had 21 digs and Savannah Knowles added 20 to a steady Redbird defense.
The Redbirds wasted no time against the 2003 Big East co-champion Pitt jumping out to 9-1 lead in game one. The first of 11 Emily Kabbes kills put Rikli, the Redbirds senior setter, at the service line. She peppered the Pittsburgh side of the court with seven straight service points. Junior right-side hitter Ashley Grubb was five-for-five hitting to lead the Birds to a decisive 30-14 victory in which ISU out-hit Pitt .412 to .000.
Game two went to the Panthers thanks to a season-high 14 hitting errors plus five service errors by Illinois State.
Grubb, who finished with eight kills in 13 attempts without an error, knew the importance of turning their game around quickly at the start of the third game.
We needed to focus on the little things that we didnt do in the second game, said Grubb. We said to each other get out there and prove that our game is better than that.
Doornbos jump-started game three with five kills and an ace in the first eight points as ISU led 8-2. With Doornbos collecting seven kills, the Redbirds did not look backmaking just one hitting error while hitting .417 in game three. Pitt fought back early in game four. With the score tied 7-7, a Rikli kill put Savannah Knowles at the service line and she added four more points as Illinois State pulled away in game four.
The word of the day for Illinois State head coach Sharon Dingman was huge. From the huge victory to the huge play of her defense Dingman expressed her enthusiasm for the way her team played.
I am so excited with our play today, said Dingman. Our defense was huge today. We had great ball pursuit and a great focus on defense. This is a huge win for our team and the conference.
The Panthers, 10-6, disappointed coach Chris Beerma with their play in games one, three and four. Beerma didnt take a time out during game one.
I didnt take a time out in game one because I knew it was a route and was hoping we could get things straightened out on the court, said Beerma. Than, I figured they (the Redbirds) might not play as well in game two and I was right. Game three was the big disappointment. We went back to the way we played in game one.
Dingman felt that her Birds had a lot to do with the disappointment felt by Pittsburghs head coach.
We had a lot to do with their (the Panthers) breakdown today, said Dingman. We were focused after that second game. Before the third game I talked to the ladies about pride and passion, and that is what they showed me during the rest of the match.
The Redbirds return to Missouri Valley Conference play this week, Friday at SMS and Saturday at Wichita State, the Valleys only other undefeated team in conference play.
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