Nov. 21, 2009
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NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State volleyball team was unable to pull past Missouri State in its final match of the season, losing three sets to one. Mallory Legget ended the match with 18 kills and 13 digs and Katie Culbertson tied her career high with 14 kills. The Redbirds end the season with a 12-17 record and finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The first set was close the entire time with five ties, but the Redbirds were unable to gain the lead late. The Bears utilized strong play from their back row to come out on top, 25-22. Leggett had six kills for the Redbirds and senior Kasey Mollerus had four tough digs.
The Redbirds rebounded in the second set with a close win, 25-23. Up 16-13, Leggett delivered an impressive kill at the net to give the `Birds a 17-13 advantage. Missouri State then went on a five-point run to take the lead, 18-17. With the score tied at 23, the Redbirds scored back-to-back points to even the match at one set apiece.
Missouri State controlled most of the third set, leading by as many as six points, and won by a score of 25-20. The Bears set the tone early, going on a six-point run to make the score 9-3. Illinois State made several runs as well but the Redbirds were unable to come back from the deficit. Leggett lead Illinois State with seven digs and two kills in the set.
After going down 1-4 in the fourth set, the Redbirds went on a 9-2 run to take the lead, 10-6. But the Bear's attacking proved to be too much for Illinois State. Missouri State took the lead, 12-11, and never gave it up. They went on to win, 25-20, and win the match three sets to one.
With the loss the Redbirds, fail to advance to the MVC Tournament for the first time in 27 years. Illinois State volleyball will graduate three seniors, including Mollerus, Jessica Pratapas and Peggy Riessen.
