Nov. 1, 2008
Stats
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team fell to No. 10 Wichita State in four sets (20-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20) at Redbird Arena Saturday, despite double-doubles from MC Richmond and Mallory Leggett and challenging the Shockers.
Illinois State (12-13, 5-8 MVC) won the opening set and forced extra points in the second, but it wasn't enough to hand Wichita State (24-0, 13-0 MVC) its first loss of the season. Richmond tied Leggett for the team lead with 10 kills and the duo also tallied 16 digs.
Wichita State limited Illinois State to a .084 hitting percentage for the match as both teams logged nine team blocks. The Shockers hit .171 for the match, including a match-high .236 in the second set.
In the first set, Illinois State jumped out to a 15-10 lead and forced a Wichita State timeout. The Shockers responded with five consecutive points to tie the match at 15-15, but Illinois State's Peggy Riessen tallied three straight service points, including an ace to push Illinois State back in front for good. Illinois State won the opening set, 25-20. Illinois State led the entire first set.
Illinois State took an early lead again in the second set, but took a lead at 16-15, behind the efforts of Sarah McGee, who had four kills on a .571 hitting percentage. The Redbirds regained the lead at 19-18 but couldn't hold off the Shockers after going to extra points.
Illinois State was strong out of the break, opening a 7-3 lead on the Shockers, but Wichita State rallied to take the lead at 16-15 again and ended the match on a 9-2 run. McGee and Amanda Backes had four kills apiece for the Shockers, while Mary Elizabeth Hooper had 10 assists.
The fourth set saw six ties and three lead changes as both teams battled to take control. Wichita State held Illinois State to a .000 hitting percentage and closed the set and the match with three consecutive points.
Illinois State's Kasey Mollerus had a game-high 25 digs and Erin Lindsey contributed a match-high 40 set-assists. The Shockers where led, offensively, by McGee who tallied 14 kills and Emily Stockman led the defense with 22 digs.
The Redbirds make their final road trip of the season and continue Missouri Valley Conference play against Drake, Friday, Nov. 7 at Des Moines, Iowa, and travel to Creighton, Saturday, Nov. 8.
