Aug. 31, 2010
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Post-Match Birdcast
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State (4-0) defeated visiting Loyola-Chicago (1-2), in three-straight sets (25-20, 25-13, 25-23), Tuesday at Redbird Arena. ISU's 4-0 start is the Redbird's best start since 1992, and extends their home-opener winning streak to three.
Senior Mallory Leggett led the Redbirds with 12 kills and only one error on 25 attempts for a career-high .458 hitting percentage. Freshman Shannon McGlaughlin added 10 kills for ISU, while junior Jenny Menendez led the team in digs, with 15.
The Redbirds jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first set, led by McGlaughlin, who converted on seven of her 12 attacks. The Ramblers went on a late 6-0 run to cut the lead to 23-18 in favor of Illinois State. Loyola senior Colleen Francis and junior Natalie Pounovich notched three kills each. McGlaughlin recorded her seventh kill of the set to win it for ISU, 25-20.
Illinois State came flying out of the gate in the second set, jumping to a 10-1 lead. Loyola was only able to bring the set as close as nine points, down 15-6, but ISU cruised to win the set 25-13. Leggett led the Redbirds with five kills and two aces, including an ace on set-point.
Loyola took its first lead of the match in the third set, and after a 3-0 run, held a 14-11 advantage over the Redbirds. Illinois State responded with a 5-0 run, capped by a kill from senior Katie Culbertson, to take a 16-14 advantage. The Ramblers responded with a 4-0 run to take a 22-18 lead. The Redbirds pulled through in the final stage with a 7-1 run to take the set, 25-23. The final set was highlighted by two kills from Leggett and an ace on match point from Menendez.
Illinois State will participate in the IU Adidas Classic in Bloomington, Ind., this weekend. The Redbirds open play against North Carolina State Friday at 4 p.m.
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