CHICAGO – The Illinois State volleyball team continued its torrid pace in the Missouri Valley Conference Saturday, taking a 3-0 win over Loyola at Gentile Arena. The Redbirds won by scores of 25-15, 25-19, 25-23.
Ashley Rosch and Jaelyn Keene led the way for the Redbirds. Rosch recorded a match-high 15 kills, while Keene chipped in 12 more. Both players finished with stellar .500 hitting percentages. Kaitlyn Early dished out 37 assists and Emily Orrick tallied a match-high 16 digs. Emily Schneider added six kills and a match-high four blocks.
"Loyola played well and made us earn points tonight," said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. "Ashley Rosch and Jaelyn Keene stepped up at key times, but overall, our balanced offense and solid defense are helping us to win these matches."
Illinois State (13-5, 7-0 MVC) won its ninth match in a row, which matches the team's longest winning streak since 1996. The Redbirds have dropped only two sets over the streak and just one in league play.
Keene recorded five kills and two blocks to help the Redbirds win the first set. ISU used a 7-2 run early in the set and never looked back. Keene recorded her fifth kill on set point.
The Redbirds used a six-point rally early in the second set, which featured three-consecutive service aces from Keene, to take control. Loyola (6-11, 2-6 MVC) fought back to within two points of the lead at 20-18, but Illinois State scored five of the next points to win the set.
Illinois State jumped out to another early lead in the third set, but Loyola closed the gap midway through the set and had the match tied up at 22-22. Keene broke the tie with her 12th kill of the match, however, and Rosch took care of the rest, recording kills on two of the next three points to help finish off the match.
ISU posted a .287 hitting percentage, while limiting Loyola to a .169 percentage. The Redbirds also held advantages in blocks (6-3) and aces (4-1).
The Redbirds return home next weekend for a pair of MVC contests. Illinois State hosts Northern Iowa on Friday, Oct. 17, and Drake on Saturday, Oct. 18. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m. starts.
Both matches, and all Redbird matches this season, can be heard live online at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/isu/.
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