Sept. 2, 2011
Final Stats
MARTIN, Tenn. -
Illinois State won its first five set match of the 2011 season after defeating Stephen F. Austin (25-20, 25-19, 25-16, 25-17,15-12). Sophomores Brooklyn Hlafka and Shannon McGlaughlin led the way for Illinois State combining for 40 kills.
The Redbirds started the match out slow with a 2-0 deficit heading into the third set. The team struggled offensively early in the match totaling a team hitting percentage of .151 through the second set. Illinois State emerged in the final three sets using Hlafka as an offensive weapon. Hlafka led the team in hitting percentage marking a career-high .455. She notched a career-high 18 kills, recording 10 kills in the final three sets.
"What I liked most about this match was the coming out of Hlafka," head coach Melissa Myers said. "We always knew she had the potential to do great things, but she really stepped up in the third and fourth set. We were able to get her the ball and it was almost an automatic kill."
Illinois State outhit the Ladyjacks on the match with a .245 hitting percentage compared to SFA's .155. The Redbirds recorded nine more digs than SFA and had six players who added five or more digs in the match. Illinois State is scheduled to play University of Alabama-Birmingham at 5 p.m. (CST) today and Tennessee-Martin on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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