CHICAGO – With her fourth dig in Illinois State's match at Loyola Chicago, senior libero Courtney Pence became the Missouri Valley Conference's all-time career digs leader. The Redbirds (23-5, 15-1 MVC) took down the Ramblers (15-12, 7-8 MVC) in straight sets for the series sweep.
QUOTING COACH JOHNSON
On Courtney Pence and her record-breaking match…
"She (Courtney) was tremendous. She didn't see a lot of action, because our game at the net was so good that not much got through. Everything that did get through, went to zone six, which isn't where she plays, so she earned 12 digs on hard, scramble plays. She just stays in the fight all season. It doesn't matter if she gets high volume or low volume, her intensity never changes and her leadership never changes."
On performance by the team's middles (Marissa Stockman and Ali Line)…
"We wanted to establish our middle offense early, in order to open up our pins, but we didn't have to go away from them (Ali and Marissa). They were effective the whole match, and that's a testament to how hard they worked in transition. They made great reads at the net blocking, and put a ton of pressure on Loyola."
On the team not getting comfortable…
"We have a team of givers. There are six on the court at a time, but you've got an entire bench of people, who whenever called on they are ready. Whether that means energy, feedback or game play, everyone is giving. It's a team point every single time, and it's pretty special to be a part of a team like that."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Loyola challenged a call, as a reversal in favor of the Ramblers, put the home team up by three. Out of the challenge, Illinois State notched a pair of two quick points on a Marissa Stockman kill, followed with a block by Stockman and Kaylee Martin to come within one. Another kill by Stockman leveled the set at nine-all, before the freshman's fourth kill pushed the Redbirds ahead. Back-to-back hitting errors by Loyola Chicago helped Illinois State to a 13-10 advantage as part of a 3-0 scoring run. Out of a Rambler timeout, Loyola regained possession to come within two, but the Redbirds continued to hold their own with a 15-12 lead. With Illinois State sitting at a six-point advantage on a service ace by Stef Jankiewicz, Loyola called its final timeout, trailing 21-15. Another attack error by the Ramblers helped the Redbirds secure the opening frame, 25-18, while Pence broke the MVC career digs record with her fourth dig of the night.
Set 2 >> Stockman continued to stay hot for the Redbirds in the second set, helping Illinois State jump on the board first with her sixth kill. Illinois State jumped out to an 8-4 lead on a 3-0 scoring run behind kills from Jankiewicz and Ali Line, forcing Loyola to use a timeout. With Line behind the service stripe, the Redbirds continued to run, going on a 5-0 run out of the break behind a pair of kills from Kaylee Martin, and a kill from Monica Miller and Stockman. A block at the net by Stockman and Lexi Varga helped Illinois State to a 14-point cushion, before Illinois State grabbed the second set, 25-9, with another block, this time by Varga and Line. The Redbirds hit a strong .565 in the second set, while holding Loyola to a -.097 clip in the frame.
Set 3 >> Line's eighth kill helped the Redbirds to an early five-point lead, forcing Loyola to take a timeout, with Illinois State sitting out in front, 7-2. The Ramblers came within three, but Martin's fifth kill of the match put the ball back into the hands of the Redbirds. Loyola continued to cut into Illinois State's lead, but Stockman registered her match-high ninth kill with a tip over the Rambler block for a 12-8 lead for the Redbirds. Illinois State didn't let the Ramblers get any closer, jumping back out to a 17-9 advantage, after Loyola's 21st attack error. The Redbirds reached 20 first on a service error by the Ramblers, as Illinois State held a 20-13 lead over the home team. Illinois State swept its 14th opponent of the season, taking the third set, 25-17, over Loyola to win its 11th straight and pull off the series sweep of the Ramblers.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State will travel to Valparaiso, Indiana, tomorrow for a 7 p.m. contest against the Crusaders.
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