Nov. 12, 2009
Final Stats |
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Junior Mallory Leggett led Illinois State with 18 kills and 20 digs and junior Katie Culbertson added 13 of her own as the Redbirds defeated Indiana State 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 26-24, 25-14) Thursday night at Redbird Arena.
Sophomore Kristin Stauter led the `Birds with 28 assists, she also had 14 digs. Senior Jessica Pratapas had 12 assists and senior Kasey Mollerus added 17 digs.
The Redbirds showed promise opening the first set of the match with a 4-0 lead, but after an intense battle, lost the opening set to the Sycamores 25-23. Illinois State held the Sycamores within a five point lead throughout the set, finishing with 16 total kills and a .255 hitting percentage. While the teams traded points for most of the set, on what could have been a game-winning run by the Sycamores, junior Hailey Kelley made a kill to keep the `Birds in the game. After closing the gap to one point, an Indiana State kill closed the set.
After the Redbirds hit a 13-10 lead, in the second set, they never looked back. The `Birds only let the Sycamores score four more points before closing the set with a 25-14 win. Illinois State maintained a solid offensive game with 15 kills and increased its hitting percentage to .452.
The third set mirrored the previous ones, as the Redbirds and Sycamores never let the opposing team have more than a five point lead. The set remained neck and neck until the end when the `Birds finished the set 26-24, after an Indiana State attack error. Illinois State's offense slightly faltered with 14 kills and a .140 hitting percentage.
Illinois State gained an early, 11-3, lead in the fourth set. After 5-0 run, the `Birds staked their claim with a 23-10 lead. The Redbirds were able to close out the set with a 25-14 victory.
Illinois State hosts Wichita State Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:05 p.m.
