Sept. 23, 2011
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Post-Match Interview with Melissa Myers
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State volleyball team (8-7, 0-3 MVC) put up a fight against No. 14 Northern Iowa (13-1, 3-0 MVC) winning the second set, but ultimately lost the match, 3-1, Friday night at Redbird Arena.
Sophomore LeighAnn Hranka led the Rebirds with 15 kills and two service aces, while sophomore Shannon McGlaughlin contributed 10 kills. Junior Jenny Menendez was one of three ISU players to record double-digit digs, leading the way with 23. Senior Kristin Stauter added 15 digs and fellow senior Laura Wakefield finished with 11.
The Redbirds and the Panthers traded points for most of the first set. However, with the score tied 13-13, UNI went on an 11-4 run to open up a 24-17 advantage. ISU went on to score the next four points, but ultimately fell, 25-21. Hranka led the Illinois State offense with four kills, while Menendez paced the defensive effort with six digs.
The Redbirds took their first lead of the match in the second set thanks to a kill by sophomore Angela Rego, 6-5. After being down 22-17, Illinois State battled back and got within four points, 24-20. The momentum shifted towards ISU's side of the net when UNI's Molly Turk committed a service error, and a kill by Hranka put the Redbirds within two, 24-22. Three-straight attacking errors by the Panthers gave the Redbirds a 25-24 advantage.
Northern Iowa tied the second set at 25-25, but the Redbirds dominated the net. A solo block by Rego put the Redbirds up one, while Eliza Smith and Stauter recorded a block to give ISU the win, 27-25. Hranka and McGlaughlin each tallied four kills in the second set, while Rego added three. ISU recorded six blocks in the second set.
In the third set, ISU got out to a quick 5-2 lead, but UNI tied the set, 8-8. The two teams traded points until the Panthers took a five-point lead, 20-15. The Redbirds cut the Panthers lead to two at 21-19, but lost the set, 25-21.
Illinois State will return to conference play Sunday to battle in-state rival Bradley. First serve is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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