Sara Younes had 15 kills and three service aces to lead Wichita State past Illinois State 30-15, 30-21, 24-30, 30-22 in a Missouri Valley Conference match Saturday at Charles Koch Arena.
Kari Staehlin's 11 kills helped the Redbirds mount a comeback in game three, but the SHockers, 13-4, 8-0 atop the Missouri Valley, pulled away in game four after the 'Birds lead 10-6 early in the game.
Illinois State was out-hit .436 to .134 for the match and Younes led five Shocker players in double figures.
ISU coach Sharon Dingman thought the Shockers hit about as well as they could in the first two games, and her team battled back to win game three.
Still, ISU falls to 12-4 and 5-2 in the Valley. The Shockers won their 11th straight match and have a two-match lead in the Missouri Valley Conference standings as Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Southwest Missouri State all have two league losses. The Shockers have never won a Valley title in volleyball.
"I thought Wichita played about as well as they could in the first two games," said Dingman. "We battled them in game three and in game four, Sara Younes proved why she is a senior and she is one of the best players in the conference. She got the kills in the front row and served well in the back row."
Paige White led the Redbird comeback in game three with six service points including three aces. Kelly Rikli had 37 set assists, including 12 in game three when the 'Birds hit .375.
Illinois State concludes its three-match road trip Wednesday at Notre Dame before returning to Redbird Arena to meet Southern Illinois on Friday and Evansville on Saturday. The 'Birds have won 15 straight at home.
