Nov. 21, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Mallory Leggett and M.C. Richmond both reached double figures in kills and helped Illinois State clinch a berth in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a, 3-0, win over Southern Illinois at Redbird Arena Friday. The win makes Illinois State the only school in Valley history to qualify for all 27 conference tournaments and pushes the Redbirds' winning streak over the Salukis to 34 games.
Leggett led all hitters with 16 kills and added a service ace, while Richmond tallied 11 kills while hitting .400. Erin Lindsey controlled the Illinois State offense with 37 assists. The Redbirds (15-14, 8-9 MVC) held statistical advantages in kills (48-37), assists (44-37), digs (68-65), and outhit the Salukis .211-.165.
In the opening set, Illinois State used a 5-0 run to erase an early deficit and tie the match at 13. The Redbirds later scored six of the final seven points to the take the set, 25-23. Richmond and Leggett led the Redbirds with five kills each in the opening set and Southern Illinois' Jennifer Berwanger also tallied five kills for the Salukis (16-12, 6-11 MVC).
The Redbirds found themselves in a similar situation in the second set with Southern Illinois leading 13-9. Again, the Redbirds rallied, scoring five of the next six points to even the tally at 14. Leggett notched four kills down the final stretch for Illinois State, including the set-clinching point at 25-23.
Leggett notched seven kills in the third set alone as Illinois State closed the match with a 25-20 third-set victory.
Berwanger and teammate Chandra Robinson paced the Saluki offense with 12 kills apiece, and Berwanger recorded a double-double with 15 digs. Brooklyn Robbins led Southern Illinois with 34 assists.
Illinois State welcomes Evansville to Redbird Arena at 7:05 p.m. Saturday for its final home contest of the season. With the Purple Aces sweeping Indiana State Friday night, the match will determine the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds in next week's MVC Tournament. Illinois State will honor its graduating seniors - Lindsey, Richmond and Amy Olson - following the match, and will be giving away prizes throughout the contest as part of "Fan Appreciation Night."
