May 16, 2007
BRNO, Czech Republic - The Illinois State volleyball team wrapped up its four-match swing in the Spring Cup Tournament with a three-game setback (25-11, 25-13 and 27-25) to the host Czech Republican national team at Brno's City Hall Wednesday morning. After suffering convincing defeats in the first two games, the Redbirds forced game point on the Czechs in the third stanza before being edged in the extra-point contest.
The Czechs used an 11-6 run mid-way through game one to build a commanding double-digit lead and gain control. At the stanza's first timeout, the Redbirds trailed by just three (8-5), receiving kills from both M.C. Richmond and Kari Staehlin. But the Czech Republic lead grew to six points 13 possessions later. After ISU pulled within five (16-11), the Czech nationals finished the frame on a 9-0 spree, capping off the 25-11 victory. Kasey Mollerus had an impressive 11 digs in the game.
The Czechs carried the momentum over to the second game, jumping out to an early 4-1 lead before allowing the Redbirds to tie at 6-6 just seven possessions later. But the Czech Republic answered with an 8-1 run to claim a 14-7 lead and force ISU into a timeout. The Czech advantage grew to double-digits (18-8) five points later after recording two kills and forcing two Redbird errors. Illinois State could draw no closer than nine points for the remainder of the stanza. Despite the loss, Staehlin had a solid effort in the front row, collecting three assisted blocks.
Game three was a see-saw battle that produced a combined 19 ties and lead changes. ISU was the early aggressor, leading for the first 17 points. M.C. Richmond had two kills in the first four possessions to jumpstart the surge. After the Czechs claimed their first lead at 10-9, they led for the ensuing 10 points before the Redbirds knotted the score at 15-15 on the heels of two kills by Jessica Pratapas, who got the start on the outside.
Both teams traded points over the ensuing seven possessions before Illinois State recorded a 4-0 run to claim a 22-19 advantage and force the Czech Republic into a timeout. They responded with a 4-1 spree to tie the game at 23-23. Peggy Riessen and Richmond answered with back-to-back kills, and the Redbirds re-gained the lead at 25-24, forcing game point. But the Czechs scored three straight points to claim the 27-25 win and clinch the sweep.
Illinois State will face the Croatian Junior National Team Thursday in Vienna, Austria, where the team traveled to following Wednesday's match.
