NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (15-5, 7-1 MVC) remained unbeaten at home Saturday night with a straight-set win over Loyola Chicago (11-9, 3-5 MVC).
QUOTING COACH JOHNSON
On team earning second-straight win…
"I felt like were in a good groove all night long, from start to finish. Our serving game improved from last night and we responded pretty tough from the service line. Our passing game was also on point, so Stef (Jankiewicz) was able to easily distribute the offense very cleanly. It was a good match for us all the way around. We showed good poise and good flow."
On team's defense…
"We made a couple of adjustments with our defense. We decided to not double block the middle anymore to allow our defenders to see the tip a little better and more clearly, to allow them a chance to jump on it earlier. That's something I said between sets. I was really proud on how the team made in-game adjustments – that's hard to do."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> It was a back-and-forth battle from the start, as Ali Line registered three early kills to help Illinois State stay within reach of the Ramblers. Back-to-back kills by Lexi Varga helped the Redbirds level the set at eight- and nine-all. An attack error by the Ramblers gave Illinois State the lead, as the Redbirds were able to keep it, sitting at a 15-12 lead at the media break with a kill by Kaylee Martin. Line and Stef Jankiewicz teamed up on the block to force Loyola Chicago to burn a timeout with the Redbirds sitting at a 17-14 advantage. Back-to-back kills by Varga, followed by a block from the senior, helped Illinois State to 20 points first. Closing on a 4-1 run, Illinois State captured an opening-set win for the third-straight match, taking this one, 25-20.
Set 2 >> Back-to-back service aces by Courtney Pence gave Illinois State the upper-hand early, as the Redbirds took a 3-1 lead to start the second set. The Ramblers scored a pair of quick points, but a 3-0 scoring run by the Redbirds forced Loyola Chicago to burn a timeout, trailing the home team, 6-3. Back-to-back kills by Line pushed her to a team-high six kills in the match, pushing Illinois State to a four-point advantage. Another block party, this time by Marissa Stockman and Monica Miller, helped the Redbirds to a 13-8 lead. Illinois State settled in, and Loyola Chicago was forced to use its final timeout, after Line delivered a service ace. Varga's team-high eighth kill pushed the Redbirds to a 20-15 lead, before the Ramblers regained possession in the next point. Back-to-back kills by Martin had Illinois State within reach of set-point, before Pence's third service ace of the match sealed the second set, 25-16.
Set 3 >> Miller opened the third set with a pair of kills for the Redbirds, helping Illinois State knot the set early. The two teams continued to exchange points, as neither team held more than a one-point lead over the other, until Illinois State broke out on a 5-0 scoring run behind kills from Miller, Martin and Stockman to lead 14-10. Pence's fourth service ace, followed by the Redbirds' sixth team block, force Loyola Chicago to use its second timeout with Illinois State ahead, 17-11. Illinois State reached 20 first, before earning the third set, 25-16.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State will play its lone Monday-night match of the season this week, taking on I-74 rival Bradley at Redbird Arena. First serve between the Redbirds and Braves is set for 6 p.m.
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