Oct. 4, 2008
Final Stats
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Junior outside hitter Peggy Riessen recorded a match-high 18 kills on a .368 hitting percentage, but the Illinois State volleyball team (9-8, 3-3 MVC) was defeated in three-sets (26-24, 25-23, 29-27) by host Missouri State (11-6, 2-3) at the Hammons Student Center Saturday night. All three of the Redbirds' losses in Valley play have come via three-set sweeps.
Sophomore Mallory Leggett was the only other Redbird in double-figures, dishing out 13 kills. Senior Erin Lindsey had a match-high 41 set-assists, and Kasey Mollerus' 15 digs led the defensive output. ISU enjoyed statistical advantages in kills (50-48), set-assists (48-45) and digs (53-48).
"Tonight was certainly a tough match for us, but it was the best I have seen us play as of late in terms of making comebacks," said head coach Melissa Myers. "We had a convincing lead in set two, and just couldn't put it away. I was pleased with how we made comebacks in both the first and third set after digging ourselves into holes. It's tough to overcome that on the road in an atmosphere like this, but I like the way our team battled."
Illinois State fell behind by as many as eight points early in the first set, before coming all the way back to tie the match four times in the final nine points. But Missouri State recorded back-to-back kills to end the frame, and seal the 26-24, extra-point win. The Bears came out hot, forcing the Redbirds into their first timeout just eight points into the frame. Freshman Calli Norman had back-to-back kills to spearhead a 3-0 run, and give the Bears a 6-2 lead. Missouri State kept the pressure on, and forced the Redbirds into their second timeout after building a 17-9 advantage. ISU had three hitting errors in the stretch.
The `Birds came out of the break with a 3-0 run, with Riessen providing all of the offense. She was set three-consecutive times, and recorded three kills, including a cross-court termination to pull ISU within five, 17-12. Riessen continued her offensive charge, posting three more kills in the ensuing six points.
The Redbirds forced the Bears into their final timeout after trimming the lead to 21-20, capped off by a kill down the line by M.C. Richmond. Illinois State tied the set four times down the stretch, and fought off one set point, but the Bears held on for the 26-24 win after preseason All-Valley selection Sara Staubach provided her fifth kill of the stanza. Riessen ended the set with six kills on just 10 swings.
Leggett had eight kills in the second set, but it wasn't enough to offset a late surge by Missouri State, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five with a 25-23 win. Both teams traded points for the first 20 possessions, before ISU strung together a 3-1 run to take a 13-11 lead, and force MSU into a timeout. Leggett had four kills in the opening 22 points.
The Redbirds held the lead for the ensuing 15 possessions, but the Bears countered with a 3-1 spree to take a one-point lead, 21-20. Cara Hackmann had two kills and one block in the run.
The Bears forced set point at 24-21 following an attack error by Riessen, but the Redbirds fought off the surge with two-consecutive points, to pull back within one, 24-23. Missouri State called timeout, and Addie Foley answered the call, providing a cross-court kill to end the frame.
Illinois State used a late charge in the third set to shake off a slow start. The Redbirds fell behind 7-2 in the early going, but answered with eight-straight points to take a 10-7 lead, and force Missouri State into its first timeout. ISU held the lead for the ensuing eight points, before the Bears took a 13-12 lead following back-to-back kills by Bethany Fuller.
Following an attempted dump kill by Lindsey was called for a double-hit, ISU called timeout, trailing by a score of 18-13. ISU began mounting a comeback, after a service ace by Mollerus, and tied the frame at 23-23.
Richmond's seventh kill two points later tied the score again at 24-24. The score was tied twice more down the stretch, before Ashley Kell's service ace gave the Bears the 29-27 win and three-set sweep in the best-of-five.
Illinois State will return home to face Creighton Friday (Oct. 10) at Redbird Arena. Start time is set for 7:05 p.m.
