Sept. 11, 2009
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - In its first match against a nationally-ranked opponent this season, Illinois State (4-4) fell to No. 16 Saint Louis (4-3), 3-0 (21-25, 22-25, 18-25) at the State Farm Illini Classic in Champaign, Ill. The Redbirds staged comebacks in all three sets, but couldn't overcome the Billikens.
"We had an opportunity to upset a top-20 team and there were a few key moments in the match that things didn't go our way," said ISU head coach Melissa Myers. "It is always great experience to play top-caliber teams like Saint Louis, but we have to take advantage of match-changing moments when presented with them."
Sophomore Tabitha Visk led the Redbirds with 10 kills and juniors Hailey Kelley and Mallory Leggett each added seven. Sophomore Kristin Stauter and senior Jessica Pratapas split time at setter, recording 12 and 11 assists, respectively. Freshman Jenny Menendez recorded career-highs with a 11 digs and three service aces. Senior Kasey Mollerus had a team-high 12 digs and a career-high six set-assists. Junior Katie Culbertson had five kills and a team-high four blocks.
A service error to start the match put the Billikens down, but they quickly took the lead and kept it the remainder of the first set. Saint Louis built a 10-7 lead, but back-to-back service aces by Menendez and a pair of kills by Visk tied the set at 11. Saint Louis answered with a 9-3 run, but Visk brought the Redbirds back with two more kills. Saint Louis had 14 kills and just four attack errors in the first set, while the Redbirds had 12 kills and nine errors. The Billikens had five kills in the set, their total for the entire match.
The second set started close, with the Billikens holding a one-point edge. Saint Louis went on an 8-1 run to build its lead to 15-7, but ISU answered right back with a 14-5 to take its first lead, 21-10. Culbertson recorded the last three points of the run with a block assist and two kills. The momentum wouldn't last, as Saint Louis claimed the set with a 5-1 run.
After ISU scored the first two points of the third set, SLU rattled off four-straight to take a 4-2 lead. The lead changed hands four more times until Saint Louis went on a 4-1 run to pull ahead, 20-15. The Billikens maintained at least a three-point cushion and closed out the set and the match with a crosscourt kill.
The State Farm Illini Classic continues Saturday with four matches. The Redbirds take on in-state rival No. 14 Illinois at 10 a.m.
