Redbirds Sweep Dayton to Win Redbird Classic Opener

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team treated its home fans to a win in the team's home opener Friday as the Redbirds quickly dispatched Dayton in a three-set sweep in both teams' Redbird Classic opener. ISU won by scores of 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.

Illinois State (3-4) posted a season-best .280 hitting percentage, while limiting Dayton to a .067 mark. Jaelyn Keene led all players Friday with 13 kills, while Ali Line and Lexi Wallen chipped in nine each. Stef Jankiewicz dished out a match-high 36 assists.

Courtney Pence and Wallen registered 13 digs apiece. Keene tallied four block assists as one of six Redbirds to chip in at least one block in the win.

"I love winning, I love Redbird Arena and I love this team," said Illinois State head coach Leah Johnson. "This is a great place and there are so many good things happening. We're going to stay in our process and keep getting better every day."

Dayton (4-4) scored the first four points of the first set but the Redbirds quickly rebounded, using a seven-point run midway through the set to turn a four-point deficit into a three-point lead at 14-11. Dayton came back to tie it at 14-14, but Illinois State answered with a 4-1 lead to regain control. A kill from Sydney Holt got the Redbirds to a set point and a kill from Keene moments later finished off an opening set win.  

After trading points early in the second set, the Redbirds made the first move, scoring six-straight points to take a 16-10 edge. The Flyers fought back to eventually tie it up at 20-all, but Illinois State fired off four quick points to get to a set point. After the Flyers fought off a pair of set points, Wallen made it a 2-0 lead in the match with a kill on set point.

The third set followed a script similar to the second. A four-point run from Illinois State gave the Redbirds a 12-8 lead and a five-point Dayton spree gave the Flyers a 13-12 lead. Later leading 17-16, Illinois State rattled off three points in a row to cushion its lead. Dayton came back within a point at 23-22, but back-to-back kills from Keene and Wallen finished the match in a sweep.  

In the early match before the Redbirds' win over Dayton, Seton Hall defeated Cincinnati in four sets. 

Illinois State returns to action Saturday with two more matches at Redbird Arena as part of the Redbird Classic. Illinois State will take on Seton Hall at 12:30 p.m. and Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Links to purchase tickets, and for live stats and live video, are available at GoRedbirds.com. Fans can also follow @RedbirdVB on Twitter for live updates and more.

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