Nov. 16, 2007
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior middle blocker Kari Staehlin had 13 kills on a .478 hitting percentage, leading the Illinois State volleyball team to a three-game sweep (30-14, 30-24 and 30-24) over visiting Evansville in front of a crowd of 1,360 fans at Redbird Arena Friday evening.
With the win, Illinois State improves to 18-10 on the season, with a 10-7 Missouri Valley Conference slate. The Purple Aces dropped to 13-15 and 6-11.
Freshman Mallory Leggett joined Staehlin in double figures, with a match-high 16 kills. Erin Lindsey had 43 set assists, 10 digs and added six kills offensively. Illinois State hit .306 as a team.
Evansville was led by Emily Wandersee and Megan Spurlock, who tallied eight kills apiece. Aces libero Julie Walbroth broke the MVC career dig record, and had a team-high 13 digs to lead UE.
Illinois State has now won six-consecutive single-games over Evansville dating back to the last meeting between the two teams (Sept. 15). The Aces held a 2-0 lead in that match, before ISU stormed back to win three-straight games, and claim a five-game win.
In game one, Illinois State cruised to a 30-14 win. The Redbird offense dominated, with 17 kills compared to Evansville's eight. Staehlin led the ISU offense with four kills in the game. At one point, the score was knotted 7-7 before ISU strung together a 4-0 run to permanently claim the advantage. Walroth's second dig of the frame gave her the Valley's career record.
In game two Evansville closed the gap, tying the score at 11-11, but Lindsey fueled the Redbirds with her 15 assists as the Redbirds pulled away from the Aces, and ended the game on an 8-2 run.
Illinois State used a late run in game three to pull away, and clinch the sweep with a 30-24 victory. The Redbirds broke a 10-10 tie with a 3-0 spurt, but the Purple Aces fought back to tie the frame (18-18)13 points later. ISU finished the stanza on a 12-6 run.
Illinois State will conclude its regular season and celebrate senior middle blockers Kristin Dziubla and Staehlin, as the `Birds face Southern Illinois Saturday in their final home match of the season. First serve from Redbird Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.
