Nov. 4, 2011
Box Score
Post-Match Interview with Melissa Myers
Box Score 
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
The Illinois State volleyball team (16-10, 8-6 MVC) defeated Southern Illinois in four-sets for the second time this season. The Redbirds were led by LeighAnn Hranka with 18 kills and 14 digs, marking her ninth double-double (digs/kills) of the season.
Despite five missed serves, Southern Illinois controlled the first part of the opening set with the help of five kills from Alysia Mayes. The Redbirds struggled to find an early offensive rhythm and committed nine attack errors. Illinois State converted late in the set with a three-point run off of kills from Shannon McGlaughlin and Angela Rego, along with a block from Emily Schneider. The Redbirds battled through a long rally and took their first lead of the set after Hranka fired a kill off the block for a 23-22 lead. With an attack error from Laura Thole and a setter attack from Kristin Stauter, Illinois State captured the first set 25-22.
Both teams exchanged points at the start of the second set until the Redbirds made a three-point run (12-9) with the help from a Saluki error and back-to-back kills from McGlaughlin. Illinois State continued to lead throughout the set until the late run by SIU that kept them in the second set. An ISU double-contact violation and cross-court kills from Jessica Whitehead tied the set 23-23. Back-to-back missed serves from both teams extended the set into extra points. Illinois State was able to close the set with three-consecutive kills from Hranka for a 28-26 victory.
Southern Illinois came out strong in the third starting the set with two aces from Whitehead and three straight Saluki kills (5-2). ISU continued to fight back and tied the match after a SIU hitting violation and a block from Schneider. Visk kept the momentum flowing after notching two kills following the block. Points exchanged between the teams until two SIU blocks gave the team a 19-17 lead. A kill from Whitehead and an Illinois State attack error gave Southern Illinois a 25-23 fourth-set success.
The Salukis continued to block effectively in the fourth set recording two blocks in the first two points. Schneider answered back with a block and a joust to tie the set 4-4. SIU took the lead (14-11) after Thole worked the Redbirds' block with two tool kills and ISU committed two attack errors. Schneider took control again and compiled two additional blocks for a total of three and a half blocks on the match. Illinois State finished the match with a tip kill from Tabitha Visk to earn a 25-20 win.
Illinois State outhit the Salukis by 10 kills and compiled 13 additional digs. The Redbirds are scheduled to face Evansville, Saturday at 7 p.m. (CST).
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