Sept. 26, 2009
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State sophomore Kristin Stauter had a career-high 44 assists as the Redbirds snapped a seven-game losing streak against Creighton (5-9, 2-2) to capture their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, 3-2 (25-19, 19-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-7).
The Redbirds (6-9, 1-3) were led by junior Mallory Leggett, who had 19 kills and 10 digs and freshman Angela Rego, who had 14 kills, while sophomore Tabitha Visk contributed 12 kills and nine digs. Senior Kasey Mollerus led the team with 16 digs.
The Redbirds jumped out to an early 6-1 advantage in the first set. Both teams continued to battle back and forth as Creighton got to within 20-18, but ISU closed out the set on a 5-1 run for a 25-19 victory. Leggett had four kills and Stauter had 11 assists for the Redbirds. Mollerus led the team with six digs.
Creighton had an early 7-6 lead in the second set and proceeded to rally five straight points to take a 12-6 advantage. With the Jays up 15-7, the `Birds went on a six-point rally of their own to cut the deficit to 15-13. Both teams battled back and forth as Creighton ended the set on a 4-1 run to take it 25-19.
Creighton built an early 7-4 lead in the third set but ISU battled back and eventually took the lead at 16-15. With the score tied at 19, Creighton went on a 6-1 run to close out the set 25-20.
It was all ISU in the fourth set as the Redbirds jumped out to an early 10-2 lead. Though the Bluejays brought it back to within three at 16-13, the `Birds pulled away to end the set on a 9-5 run for a 25-18 victory.
The Redbirds jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the final set and refused to relinquish their lead as they closed it out with a 15-7 win to capture their first Valley victory this season.
Illinois State continues Valley play at Southern Illinois Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.
