Oct. 13, 2011
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Post-Match Interview with Melissa Myers
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State volleyball team beat the Indiana State Sycamores in four-set fashion (16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23), Thursday evening at Redbird Arena. Offensively, the Redbirds were led by LeighAnn Hranka and Shannon McGlaughlin who recorded 14 and 13 kills, respectively. On the defensive side, Jenny Menendez recorded 19 digs.
The Redbirds and Sycamores traded points the opening set and were deadlocked at seven, until Indiana State heated up with a five-point run. The Sycamores' Samantha Kersting posted four kills and no errors for a perfect attack percentage (1.000). Illinois State fought back at the end of the first set, but was unable to finish, as the Sycamores won, 25-16. Tabitha Visk led Illinois State with three kills, while Kristin Stauter added seven assists.
Illinois State started off strong in the second set, scoring four-straight points to go ahead of Indiana State, 9-5. The Sycamores got within two points, but ISU regained momentum and took a six-point lead, 16-10; its largest of the set. Indiana State was not going to go down without a fight and battled back within two points, 20-18. The two teams traded points, until ISU recorded back-to-back kills by Hranka and Stauter. An attacking error by Indiana State ended the set, giving ISU the 25-21 victory. McGlaughlin and Stauter each tallied four kills, and Stauter collected 11 assists.
In the third set, Illinois State and Indiana State were tied at 11-11, when the Redbirds scored three-straight points. The Sycamores came back within a point, 16-15, as the two teams traded points the remainder of the set. Illinois State never lost the lead and won the set, 25-23. Hranka led all Redbird hitters with seven kills, while McGlaughlin added five. Stauter added 17 more assists to her total for the night.
ISU jumped ahead of Indiana State, 9-2, to start the fourth set, forcing a Sycamore timeout. Indiana State battled back with two short runs to get within three points, 17-14. Three-straight kills by the Sycamores moved them within one, 18-17, but a block by Stauter and Visk gave the Redbirds the serve and a three-point lead, 20-17. A kill by Indiana State's Kersting brought the Sycamores within one, 20-19, but another block by Stauter and Visk gave the Redbirds a little more breathing room, 21-19. A Redbird service error cut their lead to one, 23-22. ISU was able to stay ahead late in the set and won the fourth and final set, 25-23.
The Redbirds will be back in action Thursday, Oct. 20, in Peoria, Ill., against Bradley, as they start the second half of Valley play. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
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