Sept. 4, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State (6-2) trailed only once in its sweep of Saint Louis (5-2), 3-0 (30-24, 30-28, 30-25) at Redbird Arena Tuesday night. The win was ISU's second-consecutive against Saint Louis and gave the Redbirds a three-match winning streak for the second time this season; a feat they didn't achieve in 2006.
Sophomore outside hitter Peggy Riessen had a team-high 11 kills to go along with seven digs. Sophomore libero Kasey Mollerus led the Redbirds with 21 digs, while junior setter Erin Lindsey led ISU with 31 assists. Senior middle blocker Kari Staehlin and freshman outside hitter Mallory Leggett each recorded eight kills. Illinois State had 8.5 blocks in the match, highlighted by a solo block and three block assists for junior right side hitter M.C. Richmond and four block assists for Staehlin.
The Redbirds were on top from the beginning of game one, leading 17-9 at one point. A 6-1 Billiken run cut the lead in half, 18-15, and forced the Redbirds to take a timeout. ISU came right back with a 6-1 run of its own to increase its lead to 25-16. After a Saint Louis timeout, the Billikens had a 6-2 spurt to pull back within four points, 27-23. The Redbird defense helped seal the win as freshman middle blocker Hailey Kelley recorded a solo block, and Lindsey and Staehlin combined on a block to close out the game. Riessen paced the Redbirds with five kills in the game and Lindsey recorded 12 assists.
Saint Louis got its first lead of the match in the second game, 2-1, but then had five errors to give it right back to the Redbirds. Leading by two points, ISU went on an 8-2 run to increase its cushion to 22-14. The Billikens answered with an 8-3 run to slice the deficit back to two points, 25-23. Saint Louis couldn't get any closer, however, as the two teams traded points until the game ended on a Billiken error. Richmond, Riessen and Leggett each had three kills in the second game.
The Redbirds jumped out to an 8-1 lead to start the third game. Richmond had a hand in three Redbird blocks to open the game. Saint Louis stopped the Redbird assault with five-consecutive points. From that point on, it was all Redbirds, as their lead grew to eight points, 22-14. Saint Louis did record five-straight points to pull within four, 28-24, but ISU held on for the win, 30-25.
Illinois State heads to the Ball State Classic Saturday to face Eastern Illinois and Ball State.
